Rats in Houston

Having Rat Issues?  Call today to schedule service! 713-722-5000

It’s officially Autumn 2010 here in Houston.  The humidity departs, the leaves begin to fall, and we prepare for fun-filled family outdoor activities.  Typically during this time of year, our outdoor foe the rat is looking for somewhere to bunk down for the winter.  If you’re not careful, you could be an unknowing host for a rat’s next residence. 

There are two types of rats that are most common in the Houston area.  One is the Norway rat (or Norwegian rat), which tends to nest in the ground, and the other is the Roof rat which will nest in your home or workplace. Rats are constantly moving; they don’t even hibernate for the winter, which also means they’re constantly breeding.  As the temperature goes down, rats look for warmer environments to raise their next generation.

  The following picture shows the difference between Norway rats and Roof rats.

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As you can see, the Roof rat has a well defined face with a small nose.  His ears are rounder and wider than those of the Norwegian rat.  Roof rats will walk fence lines, power lines and climb on trees to access your property, which accounts for their smaller more agile feet.   

Norway rats often burrow in the ground and can enter the structure through open doors, pet doors and vents (like the dryer vent) that lead into the home.  If you store your yard working materials in the garage, it’s a good idea to close the garage door after you remove the lawnmower or weed eater, until you’re ready to put it back again.  Leaving the garage door open for lengths of time is considered an open invitation to the Norwegian rat.  If the garage is cluttered, it’s much less likely you’ll actually see where your new resident is hiding when you put away the yard tools.     

Both of these rodents use a form of communication called urine marking.  Urine marking is a scented trail that gives other rodents information as to the breed and sex of the rat.  Also, the Roof rat and the Norway rat constantly chew due to the fact that their teeth never stop growing.  This can cause damage to the structure, siding, electrical wiring and any PVC piping in the attic.  

The initial sighting of one of these furry beasts generally leads to homeowners putting out traps or poisons.  While these are possible temporary solutions, they don’t block the areas that these rodents are entering from, which can leave an open-ended invitation for more rats to enter.  Rats are a year round problem, however in the cooler months, they look for warm places to nest that often include our garages and attics.  There are numerous openings on a home where rats can find an entry point, which Church Services pest control department can help identify and seal up.  

Rodent exclusion estimates normally cost about $50 through Church Services, however if you mention this article we will give you a FREE rodent exclusion estimate as long as you are within our service area.  Call us today at 713-722-5000

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