California’s sunny, dry climate can attract all kinds of people, but it can also lure in certain pests too – like rats. In Orange County, you’re likely to encounter roof rats and Norway rats, also called brown rats.
Of the two types, roof rats are smaller with longer tails and are named after their excellent climbing abilities. Norway rats have bigger bodies and are more likely to live outside and enter homes at night searching for food or water.
Historically, rats have always had a dependent relationship with humans. These rodents often rely on homeowners to provide them with food, water, and warm shelter to wait out the winter. However, this relationship is very one-sided. Here’s what Orange County homeowners should know about the problems that come with having rats in your home, how you can prevent them, and what to do if you’ve already got an infestation on your Orange County property.
What Problems Do Rats Cause In Orange County Homes?
With rats in your Orange County home, you’ll also get the potential for disease, destruction, and parasites. Some of the most common diseases associated with roof rats and brown rats include:
- Leptospirosis
- Hantavirus
- Rat-bite fever
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
- Salmonellosis
These diseases are spread through urine, feces, or direct bites or scratches from the rat itself. Most rats aren’t aggressive towards people, but if they feel threatened or cornered, they could lash out at you, your family, or even a pet.
Even if they aren’t infected with a disease, rats can spread parasites. They may be infested with fleas or ticks from living in the wild, which can spread to you or your pets once they’re inside.
Besides the health risks, rats cause a lot of damage. While they’re looking for somewhere to hide, rats may chew through plastic, pipes, wooden beams, and other structural materials around your property.
How To Prevent Rats In Orange County
Rats are one the trickiest rodents to prevent getting inside. All they need is a hole that’s the size of a pen, but here’s what you can do to make your home look less attractive to them:
- Properly store your food in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge, freezer, or cabinets
- Don’t leave trash cans unsealed and regularly empty full garbage cans
- Seal any holes and gaps around your home’s foundation with a rodent-proof material like steel wool
- Trim low-hanging tree branches and shrubs near the side of your home
- Keep yard debris and woodpiles several feet away from your house
By minimizing the factors that attract rats and the entry points they can use to get in you'll lessen the chances of new populations moving inside.
The Most Effective Form Of Rat Control In Orange County
Although the tips above can be great preventative measures, they aren’t always enough to keep rats away, especially if you’ve got an existing infestation. Because of the health risk and potential damage, Orange County pest control is best left to the professionals – like those of us at HomeShield Pest Control.
If you’ve noticed rats around your Orange County property or you’re just worried about attracting them, speaking with a professional can help. Call us at HomeShield Pest Control today for more information about our rat and rodent control services or for more advice and assistance.