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When you think of rats, they’re not as “cool” as you thought Mr. Splinter was in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series growing up. As an adult, when you think of rats, all you can think about is filth, sewage, and unsanitary environments. The thought of a single rat getting inside your home is simply repulsive. Unfortunately, Mt. Juliet is home to Norway rats.
The Norway rat, also known as the street rat or sewer rat, is believed to have come to the United States on ships from other countries in the 1700s. This rat species has bristly brown fur speckled with black hairs. Their underside is typically paler, with shades of gray, off-white, and even yellow. Norway rats' tails are shorter than the combined length of their head and body, and they have small eyes and ears.
Norway rats can now be found all over the world. These rats are color blind and have relatively poor vision. Nevertheless, they have a keen sense of touch, hearing, taste, and smell. They can run, swim, jump, and swim even though they are not particularly agile. Norway rats are the larger species known to gnaw on buildings and other structures. If they aren't removed from your Mt. Juliet property quickly, they will cause significant damage.
Whether you own a home or business in Mt. Juliet, Norway rats are a problem in the area, and the more you are knowledgeable about these pests, the better equipped you will be to handle them. It’s also important to know that Norway rats aren’t a problem you have to deal with alone.
At All-American Pest Control, we have nearly 60 years of pest control experience and have made it our mission to safeguard your home or business from such destructive pests. As your local Mt. Juliet pest control service professionals, we will not only rid your property of Norway rats but also prevent them from returning. Feel free to call us to schedule your free home or business evaluation.
Do I Have A Norway Rat Infestation?
Despite not seeing them in action, many signs tell you you have a Norway rat infestation. One of the biggest reasons you likely won’t physically see them rummaging around your property is that they’re nocturnal creatures. However, they’re not too clever, as they always leave traces of their presence. Look at some tell-tale signs Norway rats leave behind indicating their presence.
- Droppings: Norway rats always leave little “nuggets” (literally and figuratively) behind, but seriously, rat droppings are a surefire indicator that they have been there. Their droppings are typically about ¾ of an inch long and found near pathways frequently used in your property or nearby structures. Be cautious if you come across Norway droppings because they infect humans with diseases and germs.
- Tracks: Norway rat tracks can be challenging to find on other surfaces, but they are particularly noticeable on top of muddy or dusty surfaces. If you think there might be an infestation, try lightly dusting a few surfaces with flour or baby powder to see if your suspicions are correct.
- Grease marks: Norway rats accumulate oil and dirt, frequently left behind in their tracks or on walls. That stain you saw on your floor may be a grease mark from a Norway rat rather than the result of your muddy shoes. Check your property to see if you notice more similar grease marks to determine if you genuinely have a rat infestation.
- Gnaw marks: Everything is open for grabs. Norway rats will leave gnaw marks on furniture, electrical wiring, and personal items. The structure of buildings is also appealing to Norway rats, which typically leave gnaw marks two inches or more.
- Burrows: Norway rats may dig burrows in or near walls, under structures or debris, and in various other places to make nests. However, they require constant access to food and water and typically coexist closely with people. Wherever they burrow, it will be close to human access.
Whether you’ve seen some of these signs or not, having your property inspected for Norway rats will eliminate any concerns you have about a possible infestation. At All-American Pest Control, our home and business evaluations are cost-free. Put your mind at ease and call to speak to one of our highly skilled and trained service team members.
The Damage And Dangers Norway Rats Can Create In Your Home
Norway rats have to be your least favorite of all the pests in or around your Mt. Juliet property. These critters not only wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your property but also threaten your health. The critical aspect to remember about having these pests on your property is that the longer they have time to call your home their home, the more severe the damage becomes. Let’s take a closer look at the havoc they can wreak on your Mt. Juliet home:
- Risks to your home: Norway rats must constantly chew to shorten and sharpen their teeth, which never stop growing. The teeth would grow so large and awkwardly shaped without this constant grinding that the rat would probably perish, literally making it a matter of life or death. These rats will gnaw through anything in their vicinity, including drywall, floors, furniture, pipes, and electrical wires. Most of the damage is initially cosmetic, but if they rip the insulation off the wiring in the house, an electrical fire may occur.
- Risks to your health: Norway rats are known to be disease carriers. They bring in diseases from traveling through unsanitary environments like sewers and garbage. The parasites they pick up during these travels have diseases. As a result, whenever rats are in your home, you're exposed to various diseases, such as salmonellosis, jaundice, rat-bite fever, the cowpox virus, and trichinosis. These illnesses can spread via rat urine and feces. They can also do so via rat contamination of food and water sources.
Additionally, females can have seven litters a year and enter estrus (reproductive cycle) just 18 hours after giving birth. They go through a six-hour estrus period during which they can mate 500 times with competing males, significantly increasing the home and health dangers.
You can avoid the dangers of Norway rats with professional rat control services from All-American Pest Control. Your home is no longer a safe space once Norway rats enter. Call today to learn how our rat removal process works.
Why Aren't Traps Enough To Keep Norway Rats Away From My House?
Using the proper bait is crucial to control a rat infestation. The products or bait you use won't attract rats to your traps if it's the wrong type. Also, please pay attention to the types of rats in or around your Mt. Juliet property. Some species will prefer particular types of foods over others.
The Norway rat can escape a mouse trap, so a more robust trap will be necessary to catch it. Since these rats are omnivorous, any food can be bait, but even these rats strongly prefer some foods to others.
Bacon, hot dogs, nuts, peanut butter, sausage, and dried fruit are some of the best lures you can use. Peanut butter is the most effective of all of these foods. It is made of nuts, a favorite food of Norway rats, and is high in protein, calories, and fats.
You might eventually need to switch baits when luring this species. These rats are intelligent and will avoid baits that smell similar to those you used in earlier traps if they see a rat die in a trap or if they manage to escape from one. Therefore, as the population grows, you might have to switch from peanut butter to sausage or bacon.
You can see that Norway rats have a survival instinct, which is why you don't always catch them in the traps you set. It's imperative to use All-American Pest Control's expertise. If you have any questions, contact one of our expert service professionals.
The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of Norway Rats On Your Property
There are a variety of measures that you can take to prevent a Norway rat infestation and address existing issues. Contacting All-American Pest Control is the only reliable solution to a rat issue. It's challenging to get rid of rats, and by the time people realize they have Norway rats, the problem has probably already gotten out of hand.
All-American Pest Control has assisted Middle Tennessee residents in protecting their homes and loved ones from these invasive pests. We consistently get great results thanks to our meticulous attention to detail and expertise, which is how we established our exceptional reputation in our service area. Contact All-American Pest Control if you live in Mt. Juliet and believe you have a Norway rat problem.
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