Rats are famous for their ability to reproduce. What may seem like a small infestation can very quickly get out of control. Rats mature very quickly, and their litters are large, so it’s important to avoid them at all costs. These pests will ravage your property, costing you hundreds or even thousands in repairs. Call us today for an inspection and rat control solution that works for you. We provide safe and guaranteed rat removal services in Toronto and beyond.
Rats breed year-round, so long as they have food and shelter. They reach sexual maturity at five weeks of age and have a gestation of 21 days. Litters may be as large as 14 pups, though 7 is more common. Pups are deaf and blind at birth, depending entirely on their mothers for the first few weeks of their lives. Mothers tend to their young within their nests and provide them with milk. What also makes rats so quick to reproduce is their ability to become pregnant immediately after giving birth. Females can nurse their young while pregnant with more, and they do not need to eat more than normal.
Signs There are Rats in Your Home
Rat problems may be more common than you think. These pests do not only infest the alleyways of the downtown core; they are commonly found in century homes and upscale neighbourhoods with big lawns. If you’re worried about rats, look for the following signs and contact your nearest pest control expert for an inspection.
Holes in the lawn. Rats create burrow holes, which are 2-4 inches wide and perfectly round. These often come in groups of 2 or 3, a foot or two apart, near walls and fences. Holes near the foundation of the home may indicate that rats have dug into the basement.
Droppings. Rat droppings are between ¼ and ¾ inches long, with tapered ends. They look a lot like mouse droppings, but larger. Rat droppings are dark and smear when crushed.
Smudge marks. Rats have poor vision, so they walk along the same paths every day. This constant rubbing leaves grease stains on the corners of walls, baseboards, and other surfaces in the home. Dark stains low to the floor may point to rodents.
Rat nests. Rats use insulation, paper, fabrics, and other soft materials to build nests. Inside the walls, the insulation may be torn and crushed.
Scratching in the walls. Rats are constantly chewing to file their teeth down, which makes a gnawing and scratching sound. Hearing these noises in the walls at night is a common sign of an infestation.
Gnaw marks. Missing food and finding holes in household objects is a common sign of a rodent infestation. Look closely at the holes and check for teeth marks.
Hire a Pest Control Company for Removal
Call us as soon as you have noticed any signs of a rodent infestation. Rats are destructive pests that carry disease. They will ruin the insulation between your walls and leave feces everywhere, causing odours and risking illness. Call us and a technician will inspect your property. We can then evict the rats by installing a one-way door on the side of the home and targeting the pests with rodenticide. We can also exclude the home to ensure that no more rats get inside. Call The Exterminators for rat control services in the Greater Toronto Area.
