Rats Infestation
Species
Rats reproduce quickly, and a small problem can grow into a large one within a few months. In Florida’s mild climate, roof rats and Norway rats can breed in any season. They eat and soil human food, pet food and animal feed, and they chew through bags, boxes and bins to get at it. The rat species found in Florida also gnaw on electrical wiring, door edges, trim and other wood, and pull apart attic and wall insulation to build nests.
Rats feed and travel mostly at night, so a colony can be well settled before anyone sees one. That makes regular checks worthwhile all year. Roof rats often live first in palm trees, fruit trees, thick vines and overgrown hedges. Once rats are active in your yard, they will usually find a gap into the attic or garage sooner or later unless the house is sealed tightly.
Rats harm more than the house itself. Depending on the species, they raid gardens and fruit trees, dig under slabs and sheds, chew into stored belongings and leave droppings and urine wherever they travel. Catching the signs early makes a real difference. Watch for:
- Droppings near food, pet bowls, pantry shelves, trash cans or bags of birdseed and feed;
- Scratching, scurrying or gnawing sounds from the attic, walls or ceiling, mostly at night;
- Shredded paper, insulation, fabric or plant material bunched into nests behind stored boxes, in garage cabinets or near woodpiles;
- Chewed wires, pipes, trim or door edges, often showing fresh, light-colored marks;
- Burrow openings in garden beds, along the foundation, under trash cans or beneath sheds, and fruit, vegetables or nuts with bite marks; and
- Dark, greasy rub marks along beams, rafters, pipes and walls where rats run the same path night after night.
Think You Have Rats? Call Florida Bug Control
Rats are easier to control while their numbers are small. An early start usually means fewer traps, less bait and a shorter job, which is why starting rodent control early matters. Florida Bug Control is family-owned, based in Madison, and serves the communities listed on our service area page. Schedule a free inspection or call 1-855-624-2847.
Rat Species
Rat Species
All Seasons Protection Options & Pricing
Florida Bug Control’s All Seasons Protection will treat your home immediately, then begin quarterly treatments the following month to ensure your home is protected from many household pests.
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