I found a rat in my house – are there more?

Introduction

Rats belong to rodent’s category.They are the most populous animals as there are more than 56 species of them around the world. They are social creatures and most commonly found where humans inhabit. And if you find a rat in your house then it is possible that there are more than one, but you are equally lucky if there is only one.

Habitat

Rats are most commonly found in homes. They typically like warmer climates such as in attics, roofs and even walls. They can travel from sewer pipes from one place to another. They can easily be found in garbage/trash cans. As they live in groups so they breed very quickly. They are omnivorous, and can eat anything that a human can. They live in a dump and can be observed consuming trash and human scraps.

How to identify a rat in a house

If you have seen a rat in around your house, there is a possibility that there are more. Rats are prolific, they can breed and have 8 to 12 offspring in 30 days with ample supply of food and water. The season most suitable for their breeding is fall and spring, thus you can monitor them by season. Rats cannot survive without food in 4 days.Their average life span is 5 to 18 months.



Their activity

Most rats are nocturnal and off at day time, and if you see them during day time, then there is a possibility that there are more than 1 rat in the house or simply he is out for foraging. But it is equally possible that he is the only one out for searching a better place to live in your home.

Droppings

Rat dropping is much bigger than the mice droppings. These are small and black in color. These have an unpleasant odor and you smell the musky odor in your house, there is a possibility that rats have taken your home in their command.

Scratching noises

If you hear noises coming out of your attic, roof or walls. It may be a sign of a rat infestation. Rats usually make noises at night as they are nocturnal but you can also hear them during day time. This is because of their behavioral change.

Gnaw marks

Rats have larger gnaw marks as their teeth never stop growing. And if you see gnaw marks in your house, then it is clear that a rat is inside of your house. Rat’s bites are more prominent then the mice’s, and you can see the bites marks on clothes, wires, cardboards and also on woods. If you see such marks or holes then it is a sign of rat gnawing.

Conclusion

Rat infestation can bring many hazardous diseases in your house. Rat's diseases are the reason you should control their population at home. It is always best to keep your house clean to stop these kinds of infestation. Moreover, cleaning your attics once in a season will also prevent rats.You should always clean your house although there is no sign of a rat. Firstly rats do not enter if your house is completely sanitized, and secondly if they come to your house simply call rat exterminators to get rid of them momentarily. It is the most effective way to remove rats.



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