Roof rats, also known as black rats, are a more common issue than you might imagine. Figuring out if you have a roof rat infestation or not is the first step to getting rid of them. We want to help you understand identifying roof rats and managing roof rats.
What Are Roof Rats?
Roof rats are actually black rats. They get the name roof rat from the place where they like to find shelter. They tend to get into attic spaces or roof spaces and live there. They are identifiable by their color, they are often brown or black with these two colors intermixed. They are also long and thin, unlike ordinary rats, and they have a scaly tail. These rats get to be about 6 to 8 inches long, not counting the length of the tail.
These rats are mean; they will attack birds and other animals that might try to share their space. They are also dangerous for humans as they do carry diseases and they are not afraid of people. Roof rats will make their presence known; they will chew, poop and procreate so that two rats can quickly become ten or more until you have a complete infestation of rats.
Managing Roof Rats
If you suspect that you have a roof rat infestation, it is important to first and foremost call an exterminator. Though you might think you can eradicate them yourself, it will be much easier to handle an infestation if you have a professional to help. They will start by identifying the infestation and seeing if it is indeed black rats or some other type of rodent.
They then will either lay traps or poison to kill the rats present in the home. After the initial period where they kill the rats off, they will then come back and remove any dead rats. They will then try to figure out where the rats are gaining access and close up any holes that might allow them to enter. This will prevent more rats from coming back and from getting back into the home. They may then leave more poison or traps to catch any rats that might be straggling.
Getting rid of a rat infestation can be difficult; it can be hard to get rid of the rats and shore up the places where they can enter. With the help of a professional exterminator, you can get rid of rats and get them out of your home for good.