As Fall arrives, Floridians need to take special care to keep rats out of the home. With increased rain and cooler temperatures, rats attempt to find shelter and food sources in homes and businesses. Rats in the home can carry disease, spread infection, ruin food, and even chew through walls and wiring. Rat pest control is crucial to get rid of rats in this weather.

Types of Rats in Florida

There are many types of rats in Florida, but there are three main varieties that most commonly come into contact with people.

The Norway Rat is the first. This is a large, nocturnal, burrowing rat. It can grow as long as 16 inches, and is usually messy-looking, and brown or gray. They’ll eat pretty much anything.

The Roof Rat is only half this size, eight inches in length at most. Like their name implies, they climb to find shelter, and you’ll find them inside roofs or attics. They’re dark brown or black in color.

The Wood Rat is less common, and only grows to seven inches in length. These look more like hamsters: soft, furry, with a more “combed” appearance to their fur. They have a wide color range that includes gray, brown, and black.

Rats in the Home

To keep rats out,  make sure food and trash are sealed. This includes pet food which people often forget to secure. Clean up food prep areas and don’t leave anything edible sitting out.

You’ll also want to make sure leaks and areas with condensation are cleaned up. Rats need access to water, and if it’s inside your home, this makes them more comfortable.

Finally, seal gaps and cracks where pipes and wiring come in. Rats look bigger than they are because of their fur and are actually very flexible and agile creatures. They can fit through holes that look much smaller than their body width.

Get Rid of Rats

To get rid of rats, contact a Brevard County rodent pest control service. If you see a rat, this is likely because there’s already an infestation. Rats usually don’t risk being seen unless it’s harder for them to get food. Rat pest control can be used efficiently and in ways that are safe for children and pets. Slug-A-Bug can do this quickly, as well as identify how rats in the home got in and what adjustments need to be made in order to avoid rats from getting inside in the future. 

Contact Slug-A-Bug today!