Seeing big rats around your Northwest Arkansas home may be a sign that Norway rats have invaded your property. There are a few steps you can take to reduce the number of rats living alongside you.

Understanding Norway Rats

Norway rats are big rats, often growing up to 20 inches in length, including their tail. This rat species is also commonly known as the brown rat due to their brownish, sometimes dark grey, fur color. Norway rats have lived alongside humans for centuries, though it is uncertain when this relationship started. Over time, the rats have become dependent on human civilization and fairly skilled at finding human food, water, and shelter.

Once Norway rats get into your home, they can cause a number of major problems, the least of which is destruction. This pest can chew through wood, electrical wiring, plumbing, cinder block, and brick, leaving behind a trail of damage in your home that can be costly to repair. They also soil areas with scratching or with urine and feces.

Norway rats are also carriers of serious illnesses such as hantavirus, tularemia, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, plague, rat-bite fever, and salmonella, in addition to parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. You can contract these diseases through contact with the rats, consuming contaminated food, or contact with the urine and feces left behind.

Because of the diseases and destruction that rats can bring, it is important to learn how to get rid of rats as soon as you see these pests in your home.

How To Prevent Rats

If you see the number of rats around your property increasing and are wondering how to prevent rats from taking over, you can follow some of the tips below:

Seal up potential entry points around your homes, such as gaps or cracks in windows, doors, and the foundation. Rats can get through holes the size of a quarter, so be thorough. You should also use a chew-proof material like steel wool or hard cement to seal these areas.
Make sure to promptly dispose of all food waste and trash in tightly sealed bags, as this will stop the aroma from attracting rats to your home. You should also be sure to store any leftover food properly, refrain from leaving out dirty dishes, and clean up all food or drink spills as soon as possible.
Declutter your home often, making sure to pay special attention to dark, secluded areas like basements, garages, and attics. You should move large piles of untouched items and cardboard boxes to reduce rat hiding places.

Once you have rat-proofed your home, the best way to get rid of rats fast is to contact professional pest control to eliminate any remaining rats from your property and leave you completely rodent-free.

How To Get Rid Of Norway Rats

The best way to get rid of rats fast is also the most effective and safest way to handle a rat infestation. Contact the professionals at Rumble Pest Solutions. With help from our experts, you will be able to have all Norway rats removed from your house without ever having to come into contact with these pests or wasting money on DIY rodent control methods.

Contact Rumble Pest Solutions today to rid your Northwest Arkansas home of these pests.