Ontario’s cities have a serious rat problem. Toronto seems to be the worst hit as the city’s rat population keeps climbing. While some people might think of these rodents as harmless pests, the reality is, a rat infestation can cause both health and structural problems on your property.
Before we discuss some of the common dangers rats can bring into your home, it’s important to first be able to identify whether or not you have an infestation.
Common Signs That You Have a Rat Infestation
1. Sounds in the Walls or Attic
It seems like rats have a hard time sitting still. You will notice this if they’ve made your attic or walls their home. There will be a lot of scampering sounds, especially during the night when they are more active.
2. Rat Droppings
Rat Droppings are the easiest way to see if you have a rat infestation on your hands and of course, the more rat droppings you find, the more of them there are. What’s most interesting is that with rats, they tend to use the same entrance and exit points, and also run along the same path. So, if you keep finding droppings along the same path, you’ll know that you’re dealing with a rat infestation.
3. Partially Eaten Food
Rats, like most animals, have three basic needs – shelter, food, and water. If they recognize your home as a food source, you’ll often find partially eaten food in the kitchen. The best defence here is to either keep your food in the fridge or keep it in airtight containers that rats can’t easily open.
The above signs will indicate that you have rats living in your home. If this is the case, are you in any danger?
Rat Infestation Health Risk
Besides the fact that the presence of these rodents can be unsightly, the real danger lies with the diseases they carry and that they can cause damage to your property. Rodents carry many diseases and viruses and can directly transmit hantavirus,
The three main ways rats spread diseases is through their saliva, urine, and feces.
Property Damage Associated With a Rat Infestation
Another common issue with rats is that they are known to cause a lot of property damage. Their teeth are strong and can chew through cardboard, electrical wiring, wood, your insulation, and all other important materials once they have found a way into your home.
If you suspect that you have a rat infestation, it’s always best to contact a pest control company that will help to ensure that they deal with these pests before bringing you and your family any harm.
Opting for DIY solutions such as traps won’t be completely effective if you’re dealing with an infestation because, although the traps may catch a few of the rats, this won’t deal with the whole lot of them. Reaching out to professional rat control Cambridge in the field will help to ensure that you get rid of a rat infestation quickly and efficiently.