Castle Rock Rat Control

Rats In Colorado

Colorado is a state full of beauty and wonder. Wildlife is a large part of that beauty. However, not all wildlife is welcome in and around the home. When wild animals and people share the same space, problems requiring wildlife pest control inevitably occur. One of the most common pests found in homes is rats. In Colorado, one of two species of rats is the likely culprit, the roof rat, and the Norway rat. Regardless of which species you find, Castle Rock rat control becomes essential when rats find their way into our living spaces. 

Roof Rats

Roof rats get their names because, once inside, they look for spaces to live in the upper parts of the home. Commonly found in attics and rafters, roof rats are dark brown with intermixed black hairs. Their bellies are white, grey, or black. They have leaner bodies than Norway rats, pointy noses, and large ears. In addition, roof rats have thin, scaly tails that are longer than their head and bodies combined.

Also, roof rats are known to be excellent climbers and can easily find a path into homes through trees, vents, or roof lines. They are also extremely fond of eating fruit from trees and gardens. Inside the home, they can damage stored food by contamination and chew through insulation and electrical wiring. Homeowners should take preventative steps such as securing garbage bins tightly.  More about controlling roof rats.

Common Castle Rock Rat Habitats

Roof rats generally enter homes and make their way to the attics, ceilings, and rafters, taking refuge in the high spaces of the house. They would nest in dense vegetation, trees, and shrubs in the wild. Norway rats seek low-lying areas in the home, heading for basements and crawlspaces. They burrow in fields and meadows in the wild, making their homes underground. Regardless of which species finds its way into your home, a rat’s ability to fit through tiny spaces makes Castle Rock rat control more difficult. Their body can follow as long as their head can fit through a crack or hole. 

While roof rat and Norway rat habitats differ in their preferred location, they have many similarities. All rats look for secluded and dark spaces to set up their colonies. Being social animals, you will often find numerous colonies living close together. Additionally, rats look for cluttered areas filled with debris to aid protection. Wood piles, trash piles, and compost make enticing homes for rats. 

Signs Of A Rat Problem

• You hear scurrying or scratching noises in the walls or ceiling.
• You find small rice-shaped brown rat droppings in and around cupboards, under sinks, corners, and in high-traffic locations.
• Repeated rubbing against the same surface leaves behind dark rub marks. 
• Rats are voracious chewers. They will leave gnaw marks in areas where they enlarge holes in wood, flooring, and drywall for more accessible travel.

Castle Rock Rat Control And Prevention 

The most effective form of Castle Rock rat control is prevention. First, inspect your home and yard to identify potential entry points and nesting sites. Then, you can put prevention measures in place before rats infest your home. Begin by looking for cracks in your foundation, walls, and roof. Next, ensure windows and doors close tightly. Additionally, store food, including pet food, in sealed containers. Finally, ensure your home is clean and sanitary.

In addition, remove potential nesting sites and food sources outside. Store wood piles away from the house and keep them raised off the ground. Likewise, trim shrubs and trees away from the house, eliminating ways for rats to access your home. Also, remove leaves and yard debris. Finally, if you have a compost pile, tend it regularly and turn it over to bury any new food scraps.