Nashville is a wonderful city to live in. It is the largest city in Tennessee and is renowned for its rich history in the country music scene. One aspect of life in the city that many are not as familiar with is the abundance of invasive pests in Nashville. These pests range from small insects to larger invasive wildlife, and the issues they present run the spectrum from minor nuisances to property damage and the spread of dangerous diseases. One of the most frequent and troublesome of these unwanted guests in Nashville homes are rats.
Do I Have A Rat Infestation?
Taking care of a rat infestation as soon as possible is important to reduce the amount of damage that they cause during an infestation. An infestation of rats in your home can be dangerous for your health. Rat bites can transmit diseases such as leptospirosis, tularemia, and salmonellosis. In addition to these dangers, they will damage your property by clawing and gnawing on the surfaces of your home. In order to be able to take care of an infestation as quickly as possible, it is essential to be aware of the signs of rats. There is most likely an infestation if you have seen even one rat in your home. Other signs include spotting rat droppings, finding rat nests on your property, and hearing scratching sounds in the walls.
What Causes A Rat Infestation?
As with most other invasive pests, rats will most often enter a home in search of a source of food or water. Leaky pipes and food that is left out uncovered are common sources of attraction for rats. In addition to normal sources of food, wastes such as compost or animal droppings also attract them. Rats will enter homes through small openings such as any cracks in the walls or foundation, through chimneys or vents, and gaps in door and window frames.
Here Are Six Tips For Dealing With A Rat Infestation
If you are dealing with a rat infestation in your home, a professional pest control service is the only long-term solution to get rid of these dangerous pests. However, there are practical ways that you reduce the appeal of your home to rats and limit the damage that they cause.
Six tips for dealing with a rat infestation and making your home a less attractive target are:
Inspecting and repairing any gaps or cracks in your property that serve as entry points for rats.
- Properly storing and covering food to avoid attracting rats.
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Regularly clean and sanitize your home to get rid of any traces of spilled food or other substances that attract rats.
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Promptly repair any leaking pipes on your property that will attract rats as sources of water.
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Applying rat repellant substances such as peppermint oil, crushed pepper, or clove around areas of your home with rat activity to drive them out.
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Emptying trash bins regularly and keeping them sealed to eliminate another potential food source for rats.
For more information on how to make sure no rats enter your home, reach out to the experts at All-American Pest Control.
What Do Rodent Solutions Do About Rats In My Home?
While practicing pest prevention techniques in your home is effective at reducing the chances of an infestation, it is still possible for an infestation to occur. In the unfortunate scenario that you believe you have a rat invasion, All-American Pest Control is here to help. All-American Pest Control, a local Nashville area pest control specialist, has been keeping homes and businesses across Nashville and the surrounding areas safe and pest free for over sixty years.
Call us today if you are dealing with a rat problem in your home. Our team of certified and experienced service technicians will work with you to get rid of rats and keep your home safe. We provide flexible scheduling options and offer free estimates on our services.