Rats have plagues human beings for thousands of years. They follow us wherever we go, hiding in our sewer systems and city alleyways. Rats are highly adaptable creatures that will eat practically anything and breed very quickly. It is this ability to breed so fast that makes them difficult to manage. Just when you think you have dealt with a rat problem, they come back! If you’re worried about the rats in your area, give us a call. We provide lasting, effective solutions to all rat problems. Call us for rat control in Toronto and beyond.
Rats have litters ranging from 1 pup to 14. The average litter, however, has somewhere between 5 and 10 pups. Female rats have a gestation period of 21 days and spend most of their time tending to their newborns when they arrive. Rats are blind and deaf at birth. They spend the first few weeks of their lives in their nests and feeding on their mothers’ milk. At 5 weeks, they are fully grown and sexually mature. Rats breed year-round, as long as there is food available and sufficient shelter. Females can have up to 7 litters per year, and even become pregnant again immediately after giving birth.
Signs of a Rat Problem
Rats should be avoided at all costs. What may seem like a small rodent problem now can turn into a huge disaster in no time at all. Rats are extremely dirty and destructive pests that could make you and your loved ones very sick. Look for the following signs and contact a pest removal company right away if these apply to you.
- Scratching Noises at Night
Have you noticed a strange sound coming from the walls at night? Rats like to burrow between walls and chew on wooden beams, making this repetitive gnawing sound. You may also hear them scurry and scratch at night, when they are most active.
- Droppings in the House
Rat droppings appear wherever the rats go, such as the floors, cabinets, and enclosed areas of the home. Rat droppings look like mouse droppings, only larger. They are dark brown and 0.5 to 2cm long, with tapered ends.
- Smudge Marks
Rats are dirty, oily animals that follow the same paths repeatedly, which leaves greasy stains on the surfaces they rub up against. Greasy marks on the walls and baseboards and surrounding any holes in the wall may point to rats.
- Holes in the Lawn
Rats burrow underground. Infestations begin outside, then spread through the foundation of the home. You may find a few holes in the ground outside, near the house. Look for holes that are 2 to 4 inches wide, with loose dirt surrounding them.
- Rat Nests
Rats like to build nests in the insulation between walls, but they may also use fabrics and household objects as nesting material. Search every enclosed area in the house and look for piles of paper, fabric, insulation, and other soft materials.
- Teeth Marks, Holes, and Missing Food
Finding mysterious holes, teeth marks, and missing bits of food is common with rodent problems. Check these holes closely for teeth marks and do not touch them with your bare hands. Do not eat anything that may have come in contact with rats.
Contact The Exterminators for Rat Control
Call us for effective rat control services in southern Ontario. We can inspect your home and determine which pest you are dealing with, then implement a plan that will get rid of them quickly. Our technicians are highly trained and experienced in dealing with all kinds of rat problems. In addition to removal, we offer guaranteed exclusion services that keep pests out for good. We are so sure of this service that it comes with a 2-year warranty. Let us get rid of the pests on your property and prevent this from ever happening again. Call us now if you have any questions.
