How Bad Is It To Have Rats On My Oklahoma City Property?

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Finding a rat in your home is extremely startling. Not only do they have an alarming appearance, but these pests also carry diseases and cause a lot of destruction and damage to homes. It is common for homeowners to spend thousands of dollars in home renovations from chewed wires, walls, and insulation. 

At the first sign of an infestation, your priority should be to get rid of rats before they ruin your home or make you and your family sick. This guide contains some common facts about rats along with why Alpha Omega Pest Control is a premier choice for pest control in Oklahoma City

What Do Rats Look Like?

There are several different species of rats in the wild, but there are two that are most commonly found in the United States. Norway rats are brown with sporadic black hairs and a white or gray belly. They are typically between seven and nine and 1/2 inches long and have a blunt muzzle. Norway rats have small eyes and ears and a tail that is shorter than the length of their body. 

Roof rats, or black rats, are shorter than Norway rats but have a longer tail. They are brown and black and can have an underbelly that is white, gray, or black. An adult roof rat has a body that is between six and eight inches long, and its tail measures anywhere between seven and ten inches. Roof rats have large eyes and ears. 

Do All Rats Spread Disease?

One of the most concerning problems of a rat infestation in your home is their potential to spread disease. They can transmit diseases directly through a bite or coming into contact with rat feces or urine. Rodent diseases are also transmitted indirectly through the bites of insects like mosquitoes which have fed on an infected animal. Here are some of the top diseases rats carry:

  • Salmonellosis: A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea 
  • Rat-bite fever: It causes headaches, fever, rashes, vomiting, and body pain
  • Hantavirus: A severe flu-like respiratory disease. The onset of this disease involves dizziness and nausea, followed by shortness of breath
  • Leptospirosis: Flu-like illness that causes red eyes and jaundice
  • Plague: It begins with a rapid onset fever and chills, which can progress to swollen lymph nodes and pneumonia
  • Tularemia: An illness with fever, chest pain, inflammation, and ulcers

If you believe you have rats on your property and are experiencing symptoms of any of these diseases, seek medical attention immediately.

How Do I Get Rid Of Rats In My House Fast?

Although there are ways to kill rats, several things naturally deter rats from making your house their home. The methods below work on all different species of rats and don't rely on poison. 

  • Spray peppermint oil around your home's exterior perimeter.
  • Position humane rat traps using peanut butter, apples, or bananas as bait around your property.
  • Seal gaps in exterior and interior walls to prevent rats from accessing your home.
  • Clean up clutter and food messes to prevent rats from nesting and feeding. 

Even after you've taken the right preventative measures, you still may encounter an infestation. If you continue to notice signs of rats in your home, contact a pest control professional. 

How Do I Prevent Rats From Returning To My Home?

The best way to get rid of rats is to leave the job to a professional. At Alpha Omega Pest Control, our trained technicians use the latest in rat control extermination techniques to make your home rodent-free. We also offer preventative services to make sure rats stay out of your house for good. Contact us today to schedule an estimate.