Most, if not all, lock our doors; we secure our doors when we return home after running errands. We don't keep our doors unlocked because we don't want to risk intruders entering our homes. Because we want our homes to be a haven, a place where we feel protected and secure, seeing rats in the house feels like a security breach. Hearing sounds in the night caused by a group of rats creates anxiety and is not what we want to experience in our Colorado Springs home.
If you have seen a rat or suspect they are in your house, you need the Colorado Springs pest control team from Beeline Pest Control. For over a decade, we have been eradicating rats from Colorado homes restoring peace of mind and security.
Signs Of Norway Rats In Your Home
One of the common rats in Colorado is the Norway rat. This feisty rat with brown fur interspersed with black hairs on its 7 to 9-1/2-inch long body thrives in the colder Colorado climate. Although Norway rats are active at night while you sleep, they leave these signs of their presence:
- Droppings: The pellet-shaped fecal matter of Norway rats is shiny black, about the size of an olive pit, and blunt on both ends. Dried droppings fade from black to greyish-white.
- Gnaw marks: Norway rats are rodents with continuously growing incisor teeth requiring them to chew to keep them trim. Except for glass and thick metals, Norway rats gnaw on anything.
- Rub marks: The fur of Norway rats is oily and soiled due to their foraging habits in sewers, drains, and other unsanitary conditions. They leave grease marks on walls and corners along their runways.
- Runways: Like mice, Norway rats create trails from food sources to their nests or burrows. These pathways are identifiable by partially eaten food, grease marks, droppings, and tracks.
- Urine: Norway rats produce a putrid urine odor noticeable in an enclosed space.
- Tracks: If the area is dusty, you will notice four and five-toed footprints from the rodents as they travel the pathways.
When you see these signs of rats in your Colorado Springs home, you know your home has unwanted intruders.
Where Do Norway Rats Like To Hide?
Norway rats reside near water and food sources inside wall voids, under furniture, trash cans, stored firewood, and piles of debris like cardboard boxes, old magazines, and undisturbed clothing. Norway rats gravitate to the lower floors of the house, which is why it is common to experience rats in the basement, but occasionally, they will live in the attic.
The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Norway Rats
Norway rats are dangerous in your Colorado Springs house because they spread disease by contaminating surfaces through fecal matter and saliva. Furthermore, disease-causing pathogens are present in their fur; they also transport fleas, ticks, mites, and lice into homes. To get rid of rats, do the following:
- Seal entry points into the house.
- Remove debris from the yard.
- Elevate and keep outdoor garbage cans closed.
- Keep the home swept.
- Clean the cooking and eating surfaces after meals.
- Store pet food in air-tight containers before bedtime.
- Clean up pet feces from the property.
- Eliminate clutter from the basement and house.
Using traps can help, but they will not stop an infestation of Norway rats, and they put you at risk of touching the dead rodent. These tips will help you get rid of Norway rats, but the best way to get rid of rats is to call Beeline Pest Control.
Total Rodent Prevention For Colorado Springs Residents
Beeline Pest Control provides pest control for rats. We will inspect your property for hot spots, entry points, and nesting areas. Next, we will strategically place bait stations to capture the rodents. In addition, we treat the house exterior to keep current or new Norway rats away. Contact us today and get a free estimate. Remember, whatever the pest, Beeline Pest Control is the best!