What To Do About Rats On My Roof In Tupelo
Also called house rats, ship rats, and climbing rats, roof rats have had a lot of names throughout history. These long, thin rodents grow around sixteen inches from nose to tail, and while they may be called black rats, most of their fur is brown intermixed with black spots.
While they make look similar to Norway rats, there are a couple of key differences between the two: not only are roof rats smaller, but their tails are longer, and they have darker coloring than Norway rats.
Regardless, roof rats always spell bad news for Tupelo homeowners. Here’s what you should know about the dangers that come with roof rats, how to prevent them, and what to do about combating an active roof rat infestation.
Are Roof Rats Dangerous In Tupelo?
Nobody likes waking up to rats in their home, but roof rats are more than just a nuisance for Tupelo homeowners – they’re also dangerous. Historically, roof rats have been responsible for spreading the bubonic plague, although transmission is rare today.
More commonly, roof rats are often infested with fleas, which may then infest your pets and spread diseases like typhus. Through their urine, roof rats have also been known to spread infectious jaundice, as well as rat-bite fever through their bites and even salmonellosis through their droppings.
Beyond the health risks they pose, roof rats also have the potential to be aggressive if they feel threatened. If you corner or try to remove a roof rat, they may bite or try to chase in self-defense.
Because they’re excellent climbers that may use tree branches to climb onto your roof or siding, preventing roof rats is harder than it is with other rodents.
How To Prevent Roof Rats In Tupelo
Although they’re more difficult to prevent, there are a couple of preventative measures you can take to keep roof rats away:
- Get rid of potential entrances: Roof rats only need a hole the size of a quarter to squeeze through, so it’s important to use a sealant or another rodent-proof material, like steel wool, to get rid of tiny gaps, cracks, and crevices in your home.
- Replace torn and ripped window screens: When they’re climbing the siding of your home, torn or ripped window screens may serve as entrances for roof rats, so you’ll want to check your screens and replace any that are torn.
- Regularly trim low-hanging tree branches and shrubs: The easiest way for a roof rat to get inside your attic or home is by climbing up low-hanging tree branches or overgrown plants, so it’s crucial to keep these plants well-trimmed on a regular basis.
- Clean up accessible food sources: Not only can leftover food and opened trash cans draw roof rats to your home but even fallen fruit from fruit trees can be an attraction for these pests. Make sure you deal with fallen fruit that may be lying on the ground, but also practice proper food and trash storage as well.
- Install a chimney cap: Installing a chimney cap may not be the first roof rat prevention tip that you think of, but your chimney can serve as an easy entrance for these pests, and sealing it off gives them one less way to get inside your home.
- Get rid of excess moisture: Along with open containers of food, roof rats need a source of moisture, so attics and basements with drainage or moisture issues tend to look more attractive to these pests.
The Most Effective Form Of Roof Rat Control In Tupelo
While there are plenty of tips to prevent roof rats, the most effective way (and the safest solution) to deal with an active roof rat problem in your Tupelo home is with professional assistance from McCary Pest Control. With years of experience to back up our excellent reputation, we’ve been proudly helping Tupelo residents get rid of their pest problems for years – and that includes troublesome rodents like roof rats.
If you’ve been spotting roof rats around your home or you just suspect that you’ve got an infestation around your property, there’s no reason to wait and let these dangerous rodents multiply. Contact us at McCary Pest Control to schedule an inspection or learn more about our rodent control services.