Rats
Rats have evolved throughout time and now
contain large teeth which they use to cause
damage throughout your home. Rats transmit
diseases through their saliva, feces, and urine.
Rats are notorious for spreading the catastrophic
Bubonic Plague, but even though it’s rare these
days there are still a few cases in the US each year.
Rats can also carry fleas and spread diseases such
as typhus, jaundice, rat-bite fever, trichinosis and
salmonellosis and cause incredible amounts of
property damage.
Aliases
- Norway Rats
- Brown Rats
- Roof Rats
- Black Rats
- Rattus Norvegicus
Description
- Size: Usually 8 to 10 inches, plus a tail
- Color: Typically grey, brown or black with a lighter colored belly
Characteristics
- Rats not only spread a myriad of diseases, but they can introduce other pests into your house like ticks and fleas.
- The first thing you’ll notice with a rat infestation (aside from the rats themselves) is their droppings, which are bigger than mouse droppings at around ½ an inch, and their nests are going to be in low traffic areas like crawlspaces, attics and basements.
- Rats breed quickly, they bite, they spread disease and they like chewing on stuff. Other than that, they’re not that bad.
The Crimes
- Infestation
- Spreading Disease
- Property Damage
- Causing Allergies
- Introduction of other Pests into the Home