THE TRICK TO KEEPING THE AIKEN NORWAY RATS AT BAY

While a few different types of rodents may invade your Aiken home, Norway rats (or brown rats) are some of the most common. With bulky, round bodies, Norway rats can grow up to eight inches in length and have brown fur, blunt muzzles, and beady eyes. Unlike roof rats, Norway rats aren’t great at climbing, so they prefer to burrow their way into homes – so, how do you keep them out?

Here’s what Aiken homeowners should know about identifying the signs of rats, where they like to hide, the safest way to get rid of big rats, and how pest control in Aiken can help you get rid of a swarm of rats.

Signs Of Norway Rats In Your Home

What attracts rats, and what are the signs of Norway rats in Aiken homes? Here are a few signs that may indicate you’ve got Norway rats in South Carolina:

• You’re finding gnaw marks on food packages or other materials throughout your home.
• You’re seeing rodent droppings. Norway rats tend to have capsule-shaped, blunt droppings, whereas a roof rat’s waste has pointy ends.
• There are dark, oily, or greasy marks smudged on walls or baseboards, where Norway rats have used pathways to run across your home.
• There are food and remnants around these pathways where Norway rats have been transporting food.
• There are burrows around the exterior or interior of your home.

The signs of a Norway rat infestation can look similar to other types of rodent infestations, but some of the most distinguishing signs are the shape of droppings and burrows. Roof rats don’t create burrows, and mice tend to find other ways into Aiken homes.

Where Do Norway Rats Like To Hide?

While roof rats may like to hide up high, Norway rats are the opposite – they like to be low to the ground or even below ground. It’s not unusual for Norway rats to hide in garages, basements, ground-level floors of urban buildings, or even sewers. Norway rats have no problem thriving in sewer systems where they can feed on human waste and even use sewer pipes to enter homes or buildings.

Because of their unsanitary living conditions, Norway rats have the potential to contaminate your home and family with harmful pathogens and diseases, like hantavirus, rat-bite fever, the plague, salmonella, and more.

The Safest Way To Get Rid Of Norway Rats

Because they come with so many health risks, it’s important to promptly remove Norway rats from your home. The safest way to do that is by working with us at Aiken Pest Control. Not only do Norway rats reproduce quickly, but their nocturnal and sneaky nature means they can go undetected for months.

Our effective residential pest control treatments can completely and permanently eliminate Norway rats and other rodents from your home. If you believe you may have Norway rats or another type of rodent living in your Aiken home, there’s only one thing to do. Contact us today at Aiken Pest Control to learn more about how our rodent control services can help or request a free quote for our services.

Total Rodent Prevention For Aiken Residents

Will rats leave if there’s no food? Norway rats are resourceful enough to find a food source almost anywhere, but here are some ways you can prevent these rodents in your Aiken home:

• Completely eliminate any food sources for Norway rats. This includes making sure you’re properly storing the food you eat, cleaning up dirty dishes the same day that you use them, and keeping a tight or locking lid on indoor and outdoor garbage cans. Even in your yard, it’s important to make sure you’re not leaving scraps out or other food sources, like birdseed, that may attract these rats.
• Get rid of moisture sources. Norway rats need a moisture source and may take advantage of leaky pipes or faucets. Deal with moisture problems as soon as you notice them, both inside and outside the home.
• Block potential entry-ways. Keep doors and windows locked, and use caulk or sealant to seal up cracks and crevices along your foundation. This also includes covering up dryer vents and gaps under doorways, if there are any.

If you still end up with a rodent infestation despite following the tips above, you should always contact the professionals for total rodent control in Aiken, SC: Aiken Pest Control.