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Hi, everyone! Welcome to Bug Talk. I’m
your host Ryan Haynes and I am here to
tell you what you need to know about
rodents. Today’s topic is not something
most people want to talk or even think
about. Rodents include rats, mice,
squirrels and cotton rats. The focus for
today’s podcast is specifically, rats.
Here in the sunshine state we would like
to think we are all sunshine and palm
trees. Unfortunately, we are home to a
variety of pests including rats. Besides
being unsightly to most people, rats can
cause significant damage to property
and pose health risks.
Rats have been known to cause
structural damage to property by
chewing through building materials like
wire and even insulation. Rats can carry
various diseases including salmonella.
Rats pose a risk to pets by being
carriers of fleas, ticks and lice.
Why are rats such a problem? One thing
that makes dealing with rats difficult is
they reproduce quickly. A baby rat is
referred to as a pup. A female rat can
give birth to 6-12 pups every 3-4 weeks.
This ability to reproduce quickly can
produce a large population of rodents in
a very short period of time.
Rats are highly adaptable creatures.
They can survive in a variety of
environments. Some rats like the roof
rat are excellent climbers. This ability
gives them access to a variety of entry
points from the roof if not properly
sealed. Once rats have gained entry to
the attic it becomes an ideal location for
them to nest.
Property damage to homes and
businesses can be extensive. Rats have
been known to gnaw on wood,
plumbing, insulation and electrical wires.
Damage in these areas can lead to fire
hazards or water damage. Repairs can
be costly. Besides the repairs, the rat
population would also need to be under
control and managed to ensure the
problem does not re-occur.
Here in Florida, rats can be active any
time of the year. It is more common to
see a rat infestation in cooler months.
Rats seek out warm shelters when the
temperature drops.
There are many signs a home or
business owner might see to indicate a
rat infestation may be present. Some
common signs are rat droppings.
Droppings are small, dark and even
cylindrical. People may hear scratching
or squeaking in walls or the attic. This is
most common in the evening when rats
are more active. Gnaw marks may be
present on furniture, wires or even walls.
The kitchen is a common location in a
home to see rat activity. Rats can invade
pantries and food storage areas. Their
droppings, saliva and urine can
contaminate food and spread disease. If
you notice any of the signs listed,
contact a pest control specialist right
away.
There are many things that can be done
to treat a rodent infestation. Often it is a
multi-step approach. Entry points such
as doors, windows and vents need to be
sealed to prevent rat access. Snap traps
may be placed in attics to catch rodents.
Bait boxes may be placed to help the
population decrease.
If you are seeing something concerning
or suspect a rat infestation be sure to
contact a pest control specialist. A
professional will be able to look at your
home or business and come up with a
treatment plan that is right for you.
Thanks for joining us today. We will see
you next time. Remember, if it crawls or
fly’s, we’re your guys!