Unless you’ve been living under a rock, where some rats like to live, you know what a rat is. These rodents are famous. Or should we say infamous? The reason for their fame is simple: Rats like to live off the generosity of humans. This brings them into our yards and into our homes. If you’re dealing with rats in San Jose, it isn’t surprising. Rats are as common here as they are everywhere else in the world. Here are 4 things you should know if you’re seeing rats, or signs of rats, on your San Jose property.
1. Rats Spread Illness
There are several dangerous illnesses spread by rats. The most notable are Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, Salmonellosis, tularemia, rat-bite-fever, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis and the plague. They’re also key vectors for diseases spread by secondary pests. When rats get into a home, they rarely come alone. Rats can have hundreds of seed ticks in their fur and can spread those ticks on every floor of your home. They also introduce fleas, lice, mites, and other parasites. This can lead to infestation and, in some cases, serious illness.
2. Rats Chew
Like all rodents, rats have ever-growing incisors, and they chew constantly to file those teeth down. They’ll chew on the outside of your home and on building materials inside your home. They’ll rip up insulation. They’ll destroy stored furniture and get into stored boxes. They may even chew through a live wire and start a fire. It is never good to have rats in your home.
3. Rats Aren’t Likely To Go Away
There are many reasons rats like to live near humans. These are opportunistic animals that prefer to find a meal in a trash pile than to hunt one down in nature. But, more than this, our yards usually have places to hide, which makes living near us the safest place for a rat to be. Norway rats are especially fond of living in our yards because they like to create their ground burrows underneath piles. If you have a pile of objects in your yard, these rats will love you for it.
4. Rats Can Be Difficult To Control
When rats start showing up, many homeowners try DIY methods to get rid of them. Sadly, this comes with many challenges. Some DIY methods don’t work at all and those that do are often implemented incorrectly. This leads to continued rat infestation and continued problems.
Are you dealing with rats in San Jose? Call the rat experts. At Smith’s Pest Management, we don’t just specialize in gophers. Our highly trained and experienced trappers know how to track and get rid of rats. Let our team develop a management plan for your home and help you get control of rats. Drop us a line or give us a call. We’re standing by to help.
