There’s so much about rats that people find disturbing and disgusting. One is how quickly they reproduce. Rats become sexually mature at a mere two to five months and will breed year round, even within their own families. A female rat can easily produce 40 to 60 young in a single year. Because of the rapidity with which they reach breeding age, populations can swell exponentially — up to 1,250 individuals in a single year.
Wild rats produce oils to coat their fur, leaving greasy marks on the walls and baseboards they touch. They also attract fleas and transmit diseases to humans. And of course, they deposit urine and feces all around the house.
Our cozy, climate-controlled homes are attractive places for rats to start nests, which they build using our newspapers, old clothes and attic insulation. People unwittingly invite them by leaving delicious “rat food” scraps in garbage cans and pet bowls. We even make it easy for rats and other rodents to get in and out by leaving holes in our foundations where ducts and plumbing enter. Our roofs have vents that make getting into the attic quick and easy, too.
The trick to getting rid of rats is to shut down the welcome wagon. Plug the holes, close off the vents, remove trash, put all food and garbage into tightly sealed containers. Schedule regular inspections and treatments with your pest control company.
Contact Slug-A-Bug at (321) 259-7844 for a free evaluation.