If you're dealing with a rat problem in your home or business, you can take comfort in knowing you aren't alone with this issue. Rats are among the world's most successful pests, and since the age of exploration have managed to settle in every corner of the globe.
Pest removal specialists are necessary for eradicating these creatures because they are so well-adapted and persistent. Here's how rats conquered the globe and why they're so abundant.
Native to the chilly regions of northern Asia, the brown rat has spread around the globe, from tropical beaches to the arctic tundra and from farmhouses to the city streets. Also known as the Norway rat, wharf rat or sewer rat, these pests now number in the billions worldwide.
These animals have long been adept at following human travelers for a chance at an easy meal. Rats traveling along the silk road helped carry the bubonic plague into Europe in the Middle Ages, and as colonists and explorers connected the world's civilizations, rats were quick to follow. As a result, these animals can be found in most major cities and even in some of the world's most remote islands. And it's the ability to harbor disease seemingly anywhere on earth that makes these pests so dangerous.
The New York Times reported that a recent study highlighted that rats continue to travel the world today. DNA sequencing from individual animals in New York City yielded strains from South America, Asia and the South Pacific.
While rats were able to spread across the earth with the help of human travelers, it was their own unique survival skills that really helped rats explode in population. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game found that rats are exceptional swimmers. An individual can swim in near freezing water for almost three days on end. To make matters worse, they can hold their breath for nearly 30 seconds. This means that rats can not only survive in the murky underbellies of a transoceanic ship but can even infest a home through a toilet or drainage pipe.
Aside from being tough little creatures, rats are also rather intelligent and good at problem solving. This gives them a unique ability to take advantage of human settlements even when food and shelter are seemingly unreachable.
Rats have another advantage in the form of a very fast life cycle. A female's gestation period is just a few weeks, and can result in a dozen or more pups. Because female rats can have up to five litters a year, populations can quickly balloon under the right conditions. In cities and towns with accessible food and a lack of predators, rats can become a serious nuisance in an unbelievably short period of time.
Unlike other animals, rats might not be turned away from simple pest prevention methods and require a more concerted effort. A professional expert is your best resource for keeping these pesky animals out of your home or business.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
Not every creature that visits your property is a dangerous nuisance. Many animals actually offer a number of benefits that keep your yard healthy. Predatory animals, in particular, actually offer natural pest control. Here are five common suburban creatures that can help keep more difficult or annoying animals at bay:
The customer is always right, and this is especially true if he or she is complaining about seeing a mouse or cockroach. Pests have no place in your organization, as bugs and rodents will turn away potential business or even lead to a possible lawsuit. Keeping your company protected requires a proactive approach. Work with a pest removal specialist to identify the best ways to stop creatures from infesting your business. Here are just a few ideas for successfully mitigating and preventing any issues:
You might see an influx of rodents at this time of year, because as the weather cools mice and rats seek warmth anywhere they can find it. Unfortunately, that often means inside residential homes. Many homes may experience rodent infestations at this time of year more than any other. Whether they're getting into your garage, basement or kitchen, it's important to put a stop to them before the problem becomes too serious and requires the intervention of a professional pest control agency.
Summer is almost here and before you head out on a family trip or even if you travel for work, consider doing a little research so you become familiar with bed bugs. This will help you identify them quickly and it could keep you from bringing them home unknowingly!
With the promise of summer also comes the promise of bugs. Homeowners have to stay vigilant, lest they find ants - or worse - rifling through their food.
You might've heard that cockroaches can survive a nuclear blast. If the worst should happen and the world succumbs to nuclear war, the cockroaches would reign supreme as the one and only organism left on earth. This hardly seems fair - consider how much time humans have spent trying to control cockroach populations. You might've chased one of them out of the bathroom this morning! So, if they really can withstand a nuclear blast, what chance do we have of managing cockroach infestations at home?
