What Every Houston Resident Should Know About Rodent Control

Rodents are dangerous and destructive pests that spread disease and parasites, contaminate food, damage property and personal belongings, soil nesting areas, and become difficult to remove infestations. Pest control in Houston can be a key element in keeping these pests out of your home. Here's what you need to know about keeping your home and family safe from rodents like Norway rats.

Signs Of Norway Rats In Your Home

Rats are secretive animals, and it's important to be aware of signs of rats in your house. In the early stages of a rat infestation, the only evidence might be occasional droppings. As the population increases, you are more likely to notice gnaw marks, holes in siding and other materials, greasy rub marks along runways, or evidence of nests. If you're up late at night, you may even hear rats inside walls. 

Don't wait until rats are so crowded you are seeing them forced out of their hiding spots. Instead, call a pest control professional for an inspection at the first hints of trouble. The earlier you can catch an infestation, the easier it is to eliminate. 

Where Do Norway Rats Like To Hide?

The most common types of rats in Texas are roof rats and Norway rats. As you can imagine, roof rats are more likely to infest the upper areas of your home, while rats in the basement are more commonly Norway rats.

Outside, rats often hide in piles of wood or debris. Norway rats tend to live in fields and farmlands. They burrow in the soil near river banks or streams or under concrete slabs and are drawn to sources of moisture such as leaky pipes and damp crawlspaces and basements. Norway rats are social animals that build shelters close to one another.

The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Norway Rats

The safest way to get rid of rats in your house is to keep rats away in the first place. You can do this with the following steps:

• Store food (including pet food) in inaccessible containers. 
• Cover indoor and outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids and empty them often.
• Minimize excess water sources like leaky pipes, condensation issues, and faulty drainage.
• Eliminate indoor and outdoor clutter that could be used as a harborage area.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your exterior walls and foundation, use screens on vents and chimneys, and install weatherstripping and door sweeps to prevent rats from getting inside. 

By using these tips to minimize access to food, water, and shelter, you can avoid many issues with rats and other common area pests. 

Total Rodent Prevention For Houston Residents

If Norway rats or other rodents do make it into your home, it's time to call for professional pest control in Houston. Rodents are dangerous and destructive pests, and it's important to get them out of your home and keep them out. The experts at The Bugstoppers Pest Control are here and ready to help. Our knowledgeable techs are highly trained and skilled to get the job done right the first time so that you can rest easy knowing your home is rodent-free. We pride ourselves on experience and customer service. Don't let rodents get the best of your Houston home. 

Instead, let The Bugstoppers Pest Control get them out and keep them out with our specialized rodent control services. You can count on us to rid your home of Norway rats and other pests with our one-year rodent guarantee. Call today to schedule your free inspection and get an estimate for services.