What Is A Roof Rat, And How Did It Get Inside My Brentwood Home?

This rat has a long history of living with people, and it goes by many names. You may have heard it called a black rat, ship rat, or house rat. Its scientific name is rattus rattus. And, of the two types of commensal rodents we see most, this rat is the smallest. An adult roof rat measures between 6 to 8 inches in length, with a tail that adds another 7 to 10 inches. Its larger cousin, the Norway rat, is 7 to 9 ½ inches long with a tail that is 6 to 8 inches in length. Both of these rats love to live in human dwellings but they behave slightly differently.
 
Roof rats, as their name implies, prefer to be in high places. They're great climbers and are quick to set up a home in rafters. If you have these rats in your Brentwood home, it is likely they accessed it from a location on your roof. But they don't always do this. If they find a gap, crack, or hole in your foundation or exterior walls, they will exploit it. It is possible that this is how they got in.

When keeping roof rats out of a home, it is important to address vulnerabilities both high and low. Fill in holes and cover vents, windows, and doors with screen. It is also important to cut off access routes. Trim branches away from the roofline and put wire mesh in downspouts to prevent these rats from climbing up.

If rats have already gotten into your home, the best solution is to call a professional. Here are a few reasons why:

• Rats are hard to get rid of. They have been living with people since the dawn of time. They're good at it. One of the characteristics that have helped them succeed at this is a behavior trait that makes them extremely suspicious of new things. If you lay a trap down in an area a rat has been, it is likely to avoid it.
• Rats reproduce quickly. Have you heard the term breeding like rabbits? Well, rabbits don't have anything on rats.
• Rats spread diseases and harmful bacteria.
• Rats are directly linked to the spread of ticks, fleas, and other parasites. These parasites come with their own lists of diseases.

If you live in Hendersonville, and you're struggling with a rat problem, let the friendly and experienced service professionals at All-American Pest Control help you solve that pest problem. Go here to schedule an appointment with one of our service team members.