Rodents, Vermin, and Rats, Oh My!

Having a pet rat is not something too out of the ordinary; however, these pets are a bit different when compared to the rats that roam out in the wilderness. These creatures are the polar opposite of ordinary. They are capable of carrying and transmitting diseases that have killed in the past.

Death by rat…

This is exactly why you should take particular care when you see a rat in or around your house. Their presence is no joke. As mentioned earlier, rats have carried diseases like the bubonic plague, as known as the “Black Plague”. This disease was solely due to the transfer of fleas from an infected rat. These fleas would bite a human and the person would contract the plague. Many times, the results were fatal. In fact, these fleas are considered responsible for the death of millions of individuals during the Middle Ages.

The threat is gone… Or is it?

Rats are still capable of transmitting disease and rat-bite fever. These unfortunate contractions can be all thanks to a single rat bite or scratch. Even rat urine can cause life-threatening damage. Exposure to rat urine can promote leptospirosis. This disease can harm your liver as well as kidneys.

As you can see, being exposed to rats or any part of them can be extremely harmful. It is crucial that you learn how to identify rats and if they are in or near your home.

Want to learn how to protect the health of you and your family?

Check out these steps!

• Check for droppings – Wherever rats are, their scat is nearby. Their droppings are dark brown, in the shape of an elongated oval. As mentioned before, be sure that you don’t come into direct contact with the scat. If the rat is infected the effects it may have on you can be unpleasant.
• Scratching Sounds – If you hear noises in your walls, lofts, attics, basements, or crawl spaces, you may have a rat problem. These vermin are agile climbers and will climb into even the tightest of spaces.
• Rat Holes – If there are any holes that randomly spring up around your property, have a professional check the area out. Certain types of rats are especially good at tunneling through the ground, creating an extensive network of tunnels.
• Rat Prints – When making their way around your property, you can be sure that rats leave behind tiny footprints and a trailing tail behind them. Think you may have rats in your home? Check for these markings in underused, dusty parts of your home!

What’s next?!

Now that you know what to look for, keep your eyes peeled. With winter about to hit full blast, these pests will be swarming to get into the warmth and comfort of your home.

Suspicious of vermin in your home? Give AAA a call for professional pest control at (317) 773-3797.