Help! I Can't Seem To Keep Rats Out Of My Lincoln Home

Seeing a rat in your home can be a terrifying experience. These destructive creatures can destroy your home and personal property. If you are struggling to eliminate rats from your California home, Bell Pest Control is here to help. We provide customized pest control in Lincoln and know how to get rid of rats on your property for good.

How To Identify A Rat

In Lincoln, two types of rats are commonly found in homes. The roof rat is one of the smallest rats found in this area. This type of rat is also known as the black rat. They have long, thin bodies covered in dark brown and black fur. They also have a long, scaly tail that they use to help them balance on narrow surfaces. They are great climbers and, as their name suggests, are commonly found on top of roofs and other elevated surfaces.

The Norway rat is another common rat found in homes in Lincoln. They are larger than the roof rat and have large round bodies measuring up to 9 1/2 inches long. They usually have brown fur with small eyes and ears. The Norway rat has been in this country since the late 1700s and is commonly referred to as the sewer rat or street rat.

The Damage And Dangers Of A Rat Infestation In Your Home

Some people find rats cute and furry animals and may keep one as a pet. However, wild rats are not the same rats that you find in pet stores. The rodents that sneak into your home are dangerous and destructive and should never be treated as pets.

Both Norway rats and roof rats are known to carry a wide range of diseases and viruses. If you have to share a living space with these filthy rodents, you could end up catching some of these dangerous diseases. Some of the illnesses carried by rats include:

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)
Hantavirus
Rat bite fever
Tularemia

Rats are also destructive and will chew holes through any object that isn't made of glass or metal. They are commonly known to chew large holes through your home's drywall to gain access to the inside of your walls. Once there, they will chew on the wooden beams, insulation, and electrical wiring, leading to expensive repairs and potential fire hazards.

Why Do-It-Yourself Rat Control Usually Fails

There are several reasons why homeowners struggle to eliminate rats from their homes on their own. First, rats are incredibly agile creatures. They can climb and crawl around some of the most hard-to-reach places in your home. They are excellent at hiding and will go to great lengths to stay away from humans. Many people with rats in their homes never actually see the rat in person; they only see the destruction rats leave behind.

Rats are also intelligent creatures that can outsmart some of the basic rat traps you can find in stores. Rats don't have great eyesight, so they usually travel along walls and other solid objects. If you put a trap out in the open, a rat is unlikely to go near it.

Contact The Pros For The Safe Removal Of A Rat Infestation

If you see rats in your Lincoln home, call us today. With over forty years of home pest control experience, Bell Pest Control knows how to safely and effectively remove rats from your home and prevent them from returning in the future. Contact us to schedule an inspection or to receive an estimate.