Finding rats on the roof of your Dallas, Texas home can be deeply unsettling, and you might be wondering how these rodents even made their way up so high. The answer to this question is a relatively simple one as there are one species of rat in the area that is excellent at climbing. Known as roof rats or black rats, these rodents can easily make their way onto upper levels, attics, and rooftops of buildings.
These rats are dark brown to black, making them easy to distinguish from other rats and even mice in the area that tend to be more of a brownish-gray color. Roof rats also have scaly tails and pointed noses, and they have long thin bodies.
Because roof rats can cause many issues for Dallas property owners, this guide will help you prevent them and give you tips on removing current infestations.
What Makes Roof Rats So Dangerous?
Just like other rodents, these black rats aren’t nuisance pests. They are invasive, and they can cause both property damage and health risks. Like most rodents, they reproduce quickly, and they can fit through hotels the size of a quarter. Roof rats in your Dallas home should be eliminated as son as possible to deter these risks.
These factors make it challenging to keep roof rats out and to get their infestations under control. And, with roof rats specifically, their climbing ability makes it even harder to prevent them from getting inside.
The first major problem with roof rats is that they will chew through all kinds of items in and around your property. They constantly chew on things as this is how they keep their ever-growing teeth from getting too large. Because of this habit, they can destroy drywall, plumbing, electrical wires, plastic, furniture, and much more.
Secondly, roof rats can be dangerous to have around. They can spread many pathogens and even transmit illnesses such as tularemia and salmonellosis. These rodents also commonly carry parasites such as ticks and fleas, which can spread more sicknesses like the Bubonic plague. And, to top it all off, black rats can cause respiratory problems, including asthma attacks and allergies, as their droppings, urine, and fur accumulate.
Six Roof Rat Prevention Tips
Since roof rats are so dangerous and destructive, doing what you can to prevent them is much easier than removing them. While they can be difficult to completely deter, there are still some known measures that can make your property less attractive to these rodents.
Here are some specific steps you should follow:
- Cover chimneys with caps and place wire mesh over vents.
- Rats are attracted to places with easy access to food, so make sure to wipe up food and drink spills immediately.
- Clean kitchens regularly by sweeping and mopping floors and doing dirty dishes.
- Trash can also attract rodents, so place lids on all garbage cans throughout the property.
- If you do have pets, make sure to store their food inside in airtight containers.
- To further keep roof rats out, repair holes in the walls and foundation using steel wool, wire mesh, and other materials that rats can’t chew through.
These tips can help minimize your risk of rats moving in, but further steps will be needed once a population has made it into your property.
Getting Rid Of Rat Infestations
If roof rats are already living inside your property, don’t worry. While it’s true that they are extremely challenging to remove on your own, the experts at Addison Pest Control are here to help. We will completely eradicate these dangerous rodents so that you don’t have to worry about them anymore.
We also provide ongoing monthly pest control plans to prevent roof rats and other rodents in the Dallas area. Just give us a call to learn more or to schedule an inspection.