There are many pest control services available today. For those who have a problem with rodents, this can be a good thing. With the variety of services available, it’s easy to find one that meets your needs.
However, not all companies offer the same services or follow the same protocols when working with pests. Depending on where you live, and the type of service you choose, the options available to you may differ.
That said, several companies may use different methods when addressing these rodent infestation issues. That’s why reading individual company reviews is a must before making any final decisions about which company to work with.
Does pest control kill rats? Here’s more information about how pest control kills rats, such as the Norway rat and the roof rat, along with some tips for anyone hoping to get rid of these bothersome creatures for good.
What Are Rats?
Rats are often known for their appearance, but let’s take a closer look at their habitat selection, living environment, and diet. Rats are large, toothy rodents with a worldwide distribution originating in Asia and Australia.
There are more than 60 different species of rats, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Rats come in various sizes, from the relatively little (about 5 inches long) to the extremely terrifying (about the size of a large housecat and can weigh more than five pounds).
In just six hours, female rats can mate up to 500 times, and brown rats can have up to 22 kids in a single litter and up to 2,000 offspring in a year. Given that rats have a gestation period of less than a month, it is simple to understand how populations might get out of control very quickly.
Why Do Rats Appear in Your Home
Rats are difficult to eradicate because they are so widespread. Rats will survive as long as people are present to provide them with the three things listed below:
Food
Rats are omnivores, meaning they’ll consume anything in their path. Some rats will kill small animals like birds and lizards for food, although they are most well recognized for rummaging through rubbish and consuming food that has been left out.
Shelter
Rats in the wild rely on weeds, grasses, and other plants for their shelter. Rats will seek shelter in homes behind walls, behind furniture, or in remote, dark areas of the household. They are renowned for building nests underneath and inside household appliances.
Water
Rats can go up to a month without drinking any water at all. This is because the meals they eat have adequate water for them. Rats can typically find adequate water in drains, pet dishes, or the moisture in the pipes or walls when they need to drink it.
Signs of a Rat Infestation in Your Home
Rat infestations can be difficult to detect due to the rodents’ ability to blend in with their surroundings. For this reason, it’s important to know the signs of a rat infestation before you call pest control services. Some of these are as follows:
Foul Smells
It’s not always easy to detect rodent activity in your home; they often scurry away. However, if you’re experiencing rat infestation, you’ll surely not miss the foul smell of their presence and activities.
Droppings
Once rodents enter your home, you can easily detect their presence upon seeing their droppings and feces. Though it can be difficult to spot a rat in a home that has been infested for some time, any signs of these indicators are sure signs that there is a rat problem.
If you have seen rat feces or signs in your home or business, you should contact a rat exterminator as soon as possible.
Scratching noises
Scratching noises is one key sign of rat infestation in a home. Rats can hide in places that humans cannot easily see them. Moreover, rats may also roam through buildings without being noticed until they cause significant damage or leave behind evidence that they have been around.
Since they like roaming around and causing problems, you can detect their presence from the scratching noise they make.
Damage on walls and in other areas
Rats may cause damage to your walls and ceilings. They may also chew holes in furniture or draw patterns on the floor-all, looking for a way out of your home. Judging by these signs, you likely have an infestation in your home.
Secondly, look at the trash cans in your home. If you notice lots of small pieces of paper and other nesting material evidence that rats are nesting under your trash cans, then you can be sure that this is the case.
Finally, if there are any bites or scratches on your pets or children, this could also mean that there’s a rat problem in your home. Rats typically attack people when they get too close to their nest, so if you have pets and children living with you and you identify such marks on them, it would be wise to inspect for rats or, better still, get a professional exterminator.
Rats Infestation and Diseases
You run the danger of catching diseases spread by rodents when rat populations rise. Many hazardous diseases are known to be spread by rats.
They have lately been discovered to be Hepatitis E carriers and can spread the infection to others. Many of them are typhus carriers.
Pest Control Methods that Kill Rats Fast
Poisons Pest Control methods that kill Rats
Regarding rat extermination, finding a rodent control company that uses the rat control methods you prefer is important. One effective method is using poisons. Pests can quickly multiply in some areas, making it difficult to control them with just pesticides, as this will only stop the rat population growth for a short period. They will also return to their breeding grounds and continue breeding — thus multiplying exponentially in your home or business.
This is why pest control companies often use poison-based treatments to eliminate rodents – these chemicals can kill off a rodent colony in one shot. The poison can kill pests without harming the environment or the people around it. The poison is left on the ground where they walk and enter their burrows, eventually killing them all off over time.
How Long does it take for Rat Poison to Kill a Rat?
Rat poison is the most common rodent control method used to kill rodents. It’s quick and effective, with little to no risk of secondary exposure, but it can also be expensive. The process’s duration depends on various factors, including the size of the rat and the initial dose given.
With that said, this type of treatment can take anywhere from 3-5 days to complete. This includes time for the rodent to die and for signs of sickness, such as vomiting and diarrhea, to appear.
Rat Traps Pest Control methods that kill Rats
Rat traps are a common method for killing rats. These are usually used by people who try to deal with their rat problems independently and by some pest control companies together with rodenticides.
Snap Traps
Snap traps work by snapping closed when a rat walks over them, trapping the animal and then releasing it later.
The rat trap is placed in an area with bait and designed to be put near where rodents may be living or traveling. Rodents are attracted to the bait and walk on the trap, and the device snaps shut, trapping them or killing them. The rat has no way of breaking out of the trap till you come and remove the dead rat.
When the trap has done its job, you simply release the dead rodent back into its original habitat, either burying it or leaving it outside for scavengers to find.
Glue Traps
In addition, you can also use glue traps, which work by applying an adhesive to a surface, and once any rodent walks on it, they immediately get stuck to the surface until you remove them.
Live Traps
One other rat trap you can also use is the live trap. This is a cage-like trap, where you use rodent bait like food or pet food to lure the rodent to enter the cage, and once they enter, it closes behind them, preventing them from fleeing.
Use Organic Techniques to Eliminate Rats
A few inexpensive, all-natural ingredients may work wonders when it comes to getting rid of rats.
Try these organic alternatives:
To keep rats from ever getting into the house, scatter peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, black pepper, or cloves around the exterior of the building. Apply your chosen material liberally along the border between the ground and your foundation.
Near rat openings and holes, sprinkling crushed pepper or using pepper spray is advised. The rats’ noses and airways will become irritated, making them less likely to enter your home again.
Contact A Reputable Pest Control Company
In addition to helping you manage rat numbers outside the home, pest control services are helpful inside the home. Smith’s Pest Management comes highly recommended. They employ various environmentally friendly techniques to manage outdoor rat populations, including trapping and deterrents.
Get in touch with their staff to find out more about how they can assist you in keeping rats out of your home.
Conclusion: Does Pest Control Kill Rats?
Pesticides are designed to prevent and destroy pests in their larvae stages. They are intended to kill pests without harming humans or other animals. Though there may be some debate about whether or not these pesticides can kill rats, it is safe to say that most of them do.
However, rat poison and snap traps have proved to be more effective in killing rats.If you choose a company with an extremely high success rate for getting rid of pests like rodents, then you should be able to trust that your problem will be taken care of effectively. So does pest control kill rats? We hope you found an answer to this question, along with some tips on how to get rid of rats for good.
