Rodents can be dangerous trespassers when they get into your Chandler home. They are vectors of several diseases that they can transmit to you and your family. It is important to understand the habits of rodents and employ specific prevention tips to eliminate these pests from your property.

Identifying And Understanding Rats

There are a couple of different rats species you may encounter in Chandler, the most common of which we describe below. It is important to note that all rats have a dependent relationship with humans, making them incredibly hard to get rid of. They are adept at scavenging food and living close to human structures undetected, as they have been doing this for thousands of years. Listed below is a description of two common rats in our area of the country:

• Norway rats: This rat has a brownish coat with a hint of grey and a lighter grey or white underside. They are sometimes called brown rats and prefer to live in moist areas such as sewers and the lower levels of buildings.
• Roof rats: True to their name, roof rats prefer living in attics or “high-up” areas. They are skilled climbers and have black coats with paler grey underbellies.

Once rats get into your home, they bring with them several serious risk factors. Besides the destruction they cause by gnawing or clawing at your home or burrowing in areas of your yard, they can bring with them a high risk of disease. Rats can transmit hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, and salmonella, and their urine and feces will contaminate food storage areas.

Additionally, rats often bring parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mites into your home with them, all of which have their own drawbacks and can spread diseases.

Rat Prevention Tips

Rats can be difficult pests to eradicate from your house, so it is important to keep up with prevention around your property to stop an infestation from taking place.

• Seal up potential entry points around your home. Check windows, doors, and your foundation for any gaps, cracks, or holes. Rats can get through holes as small as a quarter, so it is important to be thorough during this process. You may also want to invest in a chimney cap to stop roof rats, in particular, from getting indoors.
• Invest in chew-proof materials to seal up your home. Rats can gnaw their way through brick, cinder block, and wood, so using hard cement or metal is important when reinforcing your home.
• Dispose of food waste and trash properly in tightly sealed containers as the aroma of food and trash is a major rat attractant. You should also promptly clean up food and liquid spills and refrain from leaving out leftover food or dirty dishes for extended periods.
• Clear out yard debris and keep your grass trimmed low to help eliminate any hiding areas that rats may find in your yard. You may also want to trim back overhanging branches to stop rats from crossing onto your roof from nearby trees.

Safe, Effective Rodent Control

Rodent control can be difficult to complete by yourself due to the dangers associated with these pests. The most effective and safest way to handle a rat infestation is to contact the professionals at Ozone Pest Control. The experts will perform in-depth inspections to find the source of your infestation and provide you with targeted, efficient treatments to rid your home of rodents once and for all.