Corpus Christi brings in many tourists with its resplendent summer sun. And while the hottest season is booming, there are also less favorable visitors coming in. Rodents remain active during the summer season and can infest your property if you aren’t careful. The Corpus Christi pest control specialists at EnviroGuard have a stern focus on keeping these disease-ridden pests out.
Where Do Rats Like To Hide?
Rats will find their way into several locations. They can squeeze into any opening that is larger than 1/2 of an inch. Places rats like to hide are:
- Basements
- In walls
- Lofts
- Attics
- Gardens
- Drains or sewers
Isolated areas attract these pests because they can have a place to build a nest when they aren’t foraging. Gardens can provide plenty of opportunities to lay low and feed, so it isn’t a surprise to have them set up a nest there, either. Dark, damp places are also attractive, even if they are replete with filth. This can cause various health problems because rats will gladly venture through contaminated areas and track the gathered pathogens throughout your house. The diseases rats carry aren’t transmitted by bites alone. Most often, they are spread through mutual contact of the same surfaces they've tarnished with urination, scurrying, biting, or defecating.
Is It Possible To Have A Rat-Free Home Without Killing Them?
Texas rats pose major health risks and can multiply at high rates. A lot of homeowners reach for poisons to eradicate the problem, but there are other ways to handle rat infestations without leaving dead rodents strewn about the property. To get rid of rats, you can trap and relocate rats, or discourage rats before an infestation begins.
A group of rats (known as a “mischief” of rats) can be hard to completely capture. You may not find them all. At EnviroGuard, we know how to effectively trap rats so they can be relocated, and we don’t leave any stragglers behind. For effective control of an infestation, trapping is best left to the professionals. As a homeowner, the best way to fight rats is to take a proactive stance.
Five Ways To Deter Rats
In the summer, rats can find shelter outside just as well as inside. This means you’ll want to secure your house and the yard. Rats also look for water and food, so depriving them of these necessities goes a long way. Five ways to deter rats are:
- Seal up the entry points on the exterior of the house.
- Trim and prune all shrubs and vegetation leading to the exterior of the house.
- Clean up your yard, removing all excess debris.
- Keep your food sealed away in containers.
- Invite friendly predators like owls and birds. A birdbath works well to keep these rat-hunting fliers on the property.
Be sure to clean up spills or cooking surfaces after use. Rats won’t find houses too alluring if they can’t find sources of food. They don’t only forage for food, either. They will look for things like branches, scraps, and other debris to build nests. Keeping a clean, opportunity-free yard is the best way to get rid of rats outside before they establish a nest.
Total Rat Control For Corpus Christi Residents
Once rats get settled, they can get difficult to deal with. A single female can give birth to an average of 40-60 rats a year, and if you have multiple female rats on your property, it’s easy to see how it can quickly turn into a huge predicament. The experts at EnviroGuard serve the Corpus Christi area with consistent, effective pest control solutions. We offer immediate service and can even take the responsibility of maintaining a pest-free environment year-round. For the best way to get rid of rats fast, give us a call.