All The Ways Mice Get Into Austin Homes
Dime-sized holes, chewed wiring, and the attractants most homeowners provide without knowing it.
Read post →Wherever there are people, there are probably rats. More than sixty rat species are known, and while most live out in the wild, the successful ones evolved right alongside humans. Today they occupy cities and towns on every continent except Antarctica.
Rats are clever, capable animals that survive in extreme conditions, and an infestation on your property can mean destruction and disease on top of plain frustration. If you are dealing with rat problems in Austin, here is what you should know.
About Rats In Austin
Two rat species do most of the invading around Austin, and they work different parts of the house:
| Norway rat | Roof rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | Sewer rat, city rat | Black rat, ship rat |
| Looks | Brownish-black fur, large paws, blunt muzzle, thick naked tail | Brownish-black fur with an especially long tail, often as long as the body |
| Size | About eight inches long | About seven inches long |
| Territory | Thought to be the most prolific rat species on earth, found in cities worldwide; a remarkable athlete that climbs, jumps, and even swims | Prefers the elevated parts of homes and buildings, true to the name |
Different habits, same bottom line. Both species bring the twin threats of destruction and disease to any property they claim.
Problems Rats Cause
Rats are rodents like mice and squirrels, with teeth that grow for their entire lives. Filing those teeth down requires constant gnawing, so a rat chews everything within reach, especially anything standing between it and food. Wood, cardboard, heavy plastic, and even brick are no match.
Then there is the disease. Rat feces can transmit the bacteria behind salmonellosis and leptospirosis, and rats carry parasites like ticks and fleas that spread pathogens of their own, including Lyme disease and bubonic plague.
Most of all, rats cause stress. Whether you own the home or the business, rats on the property wreck your peace of mind, and no one wants the reputation of the place with rats. The good news: prevention works, and it is not complicated.
How To Prevent Rats
- Seal the points of entry. Inspect the exterior for cracks and holes. A rat needs a gap only about ¾ of an inch wide to squeeze through, so treat even small openings as doors. Stuff them with steel wool or seal them with a metal plate.
- Mind your garbage. Keep garbage away from the structure with a tight lid, and use a metal bin if possible. The tough plastic on most garbage cans is an easy chew for a rat.
- Clean up often. Wipe down the counters and tables where food is prepared and eaten, do not leave dirty dishes in the sink, and store food in sturdy glass or metal containers.
Rats are incredibly frustrating and difficult to eliminate on your own, which is exactly why Accurate Termite and Pest Control is here. Our rodent control service gets rid of the rats you have and keeps new rodents from moving in behind them. For the wider rodent picture, our rodent pest library and our post on how mice get into Austin homes are worth a read. Get in touch with us today or call (512) 267-0812.
