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Home » Rats

Rats: Warning Signs and Activity

Rats - 101

Rats are widespread in DFW – in fact, we are the 10th rattiest city in America. We have no choice but to be on high alert for these furry friends as they’ll nest and reproduce at a high rate and carry a number of diseases.

The Warning Signs
Signs Inside your Home
Signs Outside your Home
Keep your Home free from Rats
Rat

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Rat Removing Service

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Rats & Mice

Rodents are the most common wildlife we see in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex homes by far. They do not necessarily cause as extensive of damage as larger pests that may enter your home, but from a sanitation perspective, rats and mice can be a huge hazard to you and your family’s health and wellbeing. On this page, we’re going to review the obvious warning signs that you’re dealing with a rodent infestation and how the Critter Stop team goes the extra mile to not just get rid of the rodents, but also to sanitize and restore your home. If you have questions or you’re ready to get started working with Critter Stop to remove rodents or other wildlife from your home in Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Keller, or other locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, give us a call today.

What You'll See Inside the Home

If you are dealing with a rodent infestation, you will see a number of common warning signs, including:

1

Droppings

Droppings are the most obvious warning sign. Unlike some other animals that pick specific areas to create latrines, rodents leave droppings everywhere.

2

Grease Spots

These are the areas where rats and mice will go back and forth across your home nesting, sitting, and leaving urine and fluids behind them.

3

Not as Quiet as a Mouse

You will likely hear squeaking sounds or skittering noises when rats and mice are in your home.

4

Chewing

You will see signs of chewing on food containers, walls, wires, and other areas.

5

Nesting

Rats Build Nests, But You May Not See These As They Are Often Hidden Under Floors, In Attics, Or Inside The Walls.

Rats Nuisance Problems

Rats Noises

Rats are relatively quiet animals, but they do make various noises for communication and in certain situations. Here are some common rat noises:

  1. Squeaking or Chirping: Rats often emit high-pitched squeaks or chirps, especially when they are young or in distress. These noises can indicate excitement, fear, or pain.

  2. Hissing or Hissing/Growling: Rats may hiss when they feel threatened or agitated. This noise serves as a warning to potential predators or other rats to stay away. Sometimes, rats may combine hissing with low growling sounds to display aggression.

  3. Bruxing: Bruxing is the grinding of teeth that rats do as a form of self-soothing or contentment. It produces a soft grinding or clicking sound and is usually a sign that the rat is feeling relaxed and comfortable.

  4. Chirping or Chattering: Rats may chirp or chatter quietly as a form of communication with other rats. This noise can be heard during social interactions or when rats are exploring their environment.

  5. Scratching or Rustling: While not vocalizations, the sounds of rats scratching or rustling can often be heard as they move around in their habitat or nest. This noise is caused by their sharp claws as they climb or dig.

  6. Ultrasonic Vocalizations: Rats also produce ultrasonic vocalizations that are beyond the range of human hearing. These high-frequency sounds are used for communication between rats and can convey information about their social status, reproductive readiness, or distress.

Understanding these noises can help rat owners interpret their pets' behavior and emotions. Additionally, it's important to note that wild rats may make similar noises, but they are often more cautious and secretive compared to their domestic counterparts.

 
 
 

What You'll See Outside the Home

Rats and mice will enter your home by making the traditional “Tom & Jerry” mouse house holes. In most cases, you’ll see these in the roof returns, also called the eaves. It’s important to remember that mouse holes are not going to be big. If you can squeeze a finger into the hole, the odds are good that a mouse or rat can fit in it as well. Because of their small size and hidden location, you will not likely notice the rodent entryways unless there are also warnings inside the home.

Our 4 Step Process

Critter Stop Inspection
1

Free Inspection

Critter Stop offers free in-home consultations to build custom solutions to your problems. We inspect your home thoroughly, inside and out, for signs of damage, animal entry, animal nesting, droppings, and more. Once we discuss the extent of the problem and what needs to be done to fix it, we’ll document a game plan together.

sealing home
2

Seal Your Home

Sealing your home immediately is our priority. The exclusion team will thoroughly patch up potential entry sites from the roof to the foundation and everywhere in between. Once we’re sure no other rodents are getting in, we’ll set our traps in those areas we suspect animal activity.

Raccoons inside your home
3

Remove The Critters

Our technicians will check in on your home several times throughout this process. If game cameras have been set up, we’ll review those with you to discuss the animal activity. Once the traps are cleared, we will reset them and re-evaluate all the sealed points of entry to ensure no critter has re-chewed a hole or found a new way into your property.

Restoring and Sanitizing rodent droppings
4

Restore & Sanitize

We don’t call it a job well done once the pest is gone. There’s more work to be done! We completely restore your affected area by pulling up and replacing damaged insulation. Additionally, we fog the affected area to disinfect and remove animal pheromones that can attract new pests in the future.

“I used Critter Stop due to rats and squirrels in my attic. They also chewed up siding on the house to get in. Critter Stop was able to remove the rodents and secure the entry points. Everyone I dealt with was very polite and professional. They were able to come out quickly, communicated well, and they always showed up on time. I would use them again.”

Jeff L. via Google

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Critter Stop's 4 Step Process to Keep Your Home Rodent Free

At Critter Stop, we offer DFW Metroplex homeowners a four-step rodent removal process that will seal access points, completely rid your home of an infestation, sanitize, and create barriers to keep rodents and wildlife away from your home. If you want to learn more about our sealing, trapping, sanitizing, and outdoor control process, check out our rodent and wildlife removal page. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or want to find out more. We provide free estimates!

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