Scratching in the walls and droppings in the halls—it’s never fun to discover that you’ve got rats in your Houston home.
Unfortunately, it’s also a bit inevitable. It doesn’t matter whether you live on Houston’s east side or in the Heights. Houston is the 4th rattiest city in America, and that puts every home in the metro area at risk for rat infestations.
So is every business. And every government agency. The problem is so bad that HPD had to change how they stored evidence. Rats got in and got addicted to the drugs they found inside.
As Houston’s rodent control experts, the only thing that sounds worse to us than rats in the attic is a bunch of stoner rats in the attic.
When you first find the rats, your first impulse may be to try to turn to some sort of DIY control method like poison, traps, or sonic rat deterrents. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to win the war that way.
The Challenges of DIY Rat Control in Houston
What makes Houston such a haven for rats?
First, there’s our nice warm climate. Rats love a warm climate. They can thrive almost anywhere, but like all species, they have their preferences.
Second, our wet climate makes the area ideal for rats. They can always find sources of water to drink. Standing water is common, and they can drink even the most contaminated water and survive.
Add a dense urban infrastructure that offers ample food and plenty of places to hide, and you get something of a rat paradise.
Why DIY Rat Control Methods Are So Ineffective
There are problems with every DIY method.
Traps and poisons are the most common choices. The first problem is rats are smart. They learn that bait is dangerous pretty quickly.
The second is this: when traps or poisons do kill rats, they create additional problems. A dead rat in your walls will make your house all but unlivable as the corpse begins rotting in the walls.
The third problem is with all the other methods people try. There is no smell that bothers rats in particular. There is no sound they aren’t willing to ignore if it means reaching food at the end of that sound.
In truth, rats will just waltz past your DIY methods and continue to breed while you waste your money and tear your hair out.
The Hidden Damages of Rat Infestation
Rats like to nest in your attic and your walls—places that it’s hard for you and your DIY methods to get to.
Every minute that you’re failing to get rid of them, they’re causing damage. They’re gnawing on your wiring. They’re clawing at your insulation. They’re leaving droppings in your vents, which will eventually carry disease to you, your family members, and your pets.
Do any DIY methods work?
While DIY elimination methods don’t do you any good, DIY prevention methods are all but vital in Houston’s rat-heavy climate.
Blocking entry points, keeping garbage under control, and ensuring rats don’t have easy access to food and water can be powerful ways to keep rats out once you’re sure there are no rats in your home to begin with.
Why Professional Rat Control Is Essential
First, we remove the rats from your home. Then we use humane exclusion methods to keep them out.
We also work on external rat control to keep populations far from your attic.
See also: What Keeps Rats Away Permanently?
We use comprehensive solutions, including inspection, removal, sanitation, and prevention. We have the experience, the knowledge of rat behavior, and the commercial-grade solutions that help you get rid of rats without doing any further damage to your home.
Plus, we offer a free inspection. If you’re not sure whether rats are in your home, we can verify that they are…or give you peace of mind. Contact us to get started today!
