Rat Removal Nassau County, New York

Rats are long-tailed, medium-sized rodents originating in Asia but are now found throughout the world. Old World rats, or true rats, belong to the genus Rattus. However, other rodent genera with some of the same attributes are also called rats. Rats are differentiated from mice by possessing large heads, blunt muzzles, thick bodies, and large feet. There are sixty-six species of rats, the most common being the Norway and the roof rat. Knowing what rat species are present is imperative in choosing effective control methods. The Norwegian rat, also called the brown, common, Parisian, wharf, Hanover, sewer, and street rat is found on every continent except Antarctica. The roof rat, also known as the black, house, and ship rat, has a more limited geographical range than the common rat, preferring coastal areas and warmer climates. Roof rats, brown rats, and house mice are commensal rodents because they depend on humans for the essentials of life, including water, food, and shelter. Rats, like house mice, are nocturnal critters, although Norway rats are frequently active during the day. Old World rats are omnivorous scavengers and are one of the most destructive mammals known to humanity. The burrows of Norway rats can undermine building foundations and slabs. Rats contaminate foodstuffs, animal feed, property, and structures and transmit disease and parasites, including mites, lice, and fleas, to human beings and other animals. Rats carry many different zoonotic pathogens. Rat-borne diseases have taken the lives of more human beings in the past ten centuries than all the fatalities of all the wars combined. Old World rats are invasive species responsible for the extinction of many wildlife species, including birds, reptiles, small mammals, invertebrates, and plants.

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A young Norway rat can be distinguished from a mouse by its smaller ears compared to its body size than a mouse.

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A young Norway rat has notably larger feet and head compared to its body size than a mouse.

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A young Norway rat has a shorter, thicker, and hairless tail, while a mouse has a long, slender tail for its body size that is covered in hair.

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A young Norway rat has a blunt snout, while a mouse has a pointed nose.

Rat burrows may be found individually, or there may be multiple burrows along foundations and fences, underneath concrete slabs, beneath debris, and in vegetable gardens. Brown rats excavate extensive burrow systems, and the tunnel entrances are generally two to four inches wide.

Runways are worn paths made in the dirt or grass along walls or fences due to rats traveling the same route nightly foraging for food.

Rat footprints can be observed in dust or soft, moist soil. Rats have a four-toed front and five-toed hind impression. The rear print of a rat will be approximately one inch in length.

Rat droppings are 3/4" in length and 1/4" thick and are pointed at the ends. A single rat can generate fifty droppings a day.

Gnaw marks on door corners, cables, and wires.

Holes in the walls and damage to carpeting usually confirm a rat infestation.

Grease marks arise from oil on a rat's fur making contact with walls or entrance openings.

Noise in the walls or attic at night, including high-pitched squeaking, maybe from rats.

Rat urine stains can be seen using a black light.

Rat nests can be made up of almost any shredded material, including paper, cardboard, plastic bags, straw, or rags, and may be found in the attics or walls of Nassau County homes.

Musky odors are a result of rat inhabitation.

The incredible fecundity of rats creates challenges to controlling them. Rats are prolific breeders and will reproduce year-round if the right conditions exist. Rats start mating at about eleven weeks of age, and pregnancies typically last three weeks. The litter size normally ranges from six to fourteen pups, and females frequently mate within eighteen hours of giving birth. A female rat can produce five or more litters yearly. Nassau County Pest Control exterminators can offer Nassau County property owners a comprehensive solution to their rodent control problem, which includes;

Rodent Inspection - This is the first step in the rat removal and control process. Our licensed Nassau County exterminators will inspect your home for rodent activity and determine how the rats are entering it. As part of our rodent inspection, we will look for what wildlife habitat modifications can be made for our rodent control program.

Rat Trapping & Removal - Trapping is the safest and most effective rodent control method. An extensive array of traps is available to control rats. Successful rat trapping and removal are contingent upon using the correct traps and baits. Effective rat trapping depends on properly placing the traps and using the correct number of them.

Rat Repellents - No effective rat repellents are registered for use in New York. Although rats have an initial aversion to some odors, tastes, and sounds, no repellents have been scientifically demonstrated to solve a rat control issue. Rats are easily frightened by unfamiliar or strange noises. However, they quickly accommodate to repeated sounds, rendering the use of frightening devices, including ultrasonic sound emitting devices, ineffective for controlling rats.

Rat Exclusion - Upon the conclusion of the rat removal process at your Nassau County residence or business, our contractor will rodent-proof your premises to keep rats out permanently. Exclusion is the most important and long-lasting component of the rat control process.