Rats are common pests around the Tampa area. Their fuzzy faces, ears, and whiskers may make them look more like a family pet than a pest, but don't let their looks fool you. Rats aren't pests you want hanging around.
To keep rats away from your home and family, you need help from the Tampa pest control experts at EcoTech Pest Control Services. We will work with you to ensure you and your family enjoy life in Tampa rat-free.
What Causes Rat Infestations This Time Of Year In Tampa
Like all rodents, rats have adapted to survive in our area and will do whatever they need to find the resources, including invading our houses. Here are some of the reasons rats will enter Tampa homes:
- Food: Rats are attracted to open garbage cans, improperly stored food, pet food left out overnight, and bird feeders. The availability of food encourages rats to establish their presence in residential areas.
- Water: Rats need a constant water supply to survive. Leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and standing water around homes can attract and sustain rat populations.
- Shelter: In Tampa, homes provide ideal nesting sites for rats, especially in attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, and basements.
- Easy Access: Rats can enter homes through small openings. Gaps around utility pipes, damaged vents, and openings in the foundation provide an easy entry for rats. Easy access to food, water, and shelter will attract rats to your home.
Why Rodent Activity In A Home Is A Huge Problem
Rats are creepy pests, and it can be bad enough to see their little beady eyes staring out at you out of the darkness of your garage or to watch them scurry across the floor when you turn a light on. Rats are disgusting pests to have around and can also cause problems in your home.
Rats gnaw on various materials, including wood, wires, and insulation, leading to structural damage and potential fire hazards. Their constant chewing can also cause electrical malfunctions. Additionally, rats carry diseases and can contaminate surfaces and food with their urine and droppings, as well as spread parasites, bacteria, and pathogens.
Common diseases associated with rats include leptospirosis, salmonellosis, hantavirus, and rat-bite fever. These diseases can be transmitted to humans through direct contact or inhaling airborne particles.
How To Prevent Rats From Getting Into Your Tampa Home
With all the problems that rats cause around your Tampa home, you want to do everything you can to keep them out. Here are some steps you can take to prevent rats from getting into your home in Tampa:
- Seal cracks and crevices using caulk, steel wool, or other rodent-proof materials.
- Store garbage in sealed bins.
- Keep food in airtight lids and the refrigerator.
- Clean up fallen fruit, bird seed, pet food, and other food sources from your yard.
- Eliminate water sources around your home by removing standing water and fixing leaks.
- Keep your home clean and clutter-free.
Making these changes around your home, along with a professional rodent control plan from us at EcoTech Pest Control Services, can help keep your home free of rats.
Why Homeowners Shouldn't Try To Deal With Rodents Alone
If you see rats in your home, your first instinct may be to buy some traps, baits, and other DIY rodent control methods from the local hardware store. While these techniques may catch a few rats, they won't get to the root of the infestation. The best way to prevent this is to partner with us for professional rodent control.
Our rodent control techniques are guaranteed to keep your home rat-free. We look for signs of rodents in your home and install bait stations and traps to eliminate the problem. We also implement exclusion methods or recommend a contractor for issues we can't fix, such as permanently keeping rats out of your home and away from your family.