Rat Exterminator near me

Roof rats are the most common rodent problem along the Emerald Coast. Roof rats are a “coastal phenomenon” usually not found beyond 100 to 300 miles from the coast. These rats are known for their ability to climb and may enter buildings through small openings or damaged areas. They can cause damage to property, spread diseases, and contaminate food.

Signs of Roof Rat Infestation

Typically, roof rats build nests in attics and inside the walls of your home. That means colonies of roof rats can live closer to you and your family than you’d like. Seeing a roof rat, dead or alive, is a sign of an infestation. There is rarely only one rat living in a location.

If a roof rat is in your attic, you will likely see shredded insulation and drywall, chewed electrical wires, and nests plugging vents and ducts, all creating fire hazards. Other signs include the following:

• Droppings. Roof rat droppings or feces are usually about ½” long and have pointy ends. If the droppings are moist and soft, they are fresh. They are old if they are hard and dry or easy to crumble. Both are unsanitary. Adult roof rats can leave fifty or more droppings every day.

• Gnaw marks. Roof rats, like other rodents, have teeth that continually grow throughout their lifetime. The larger their teeth get, the more painful. Roof rats will chew and gnaw on any material to keep their teeth short to avoid this pain. They can chew through wood, plastic, vinyl, fabric, etc. It is likely due to rat activity if you see gnaw marks on furniture, baseboards, wires, or anything else.

• Odor. Roof rats leave a strong, musky odor in areas where they are active. Much of the odor results from urine trails, which they leave everywhere they go. The stronger the smell, the larger the infestation.

• Sounds. Roof rats make distinctive noises when active at night. Squeaking, squealing, chirping, chattering, purring, and grunting are a few of the sounds a roof rat can make. The noises become incredibly annoying when you try to fall asleep, and your local rat colony is just beginning its nesting and feeding activities for the night.

Rats in Vacation Homes

Cities like Desin, Panama City Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Grayton Beach, and  Rosemary Beach are popular vacation spots. Quickly identifying a rat problem in your AirBnB or VRBO is difficult. As the property owner, you aren't in the house every day, and you rely on guests to inform of any pest problems (which can be detrimental to your review average).  

How to Get Rid of Roof Rats

​There are several effective methods for getting rid of roof rats, all of which should be done by trained professionals because they know the correct methods to address infestations. There is rarely just one rat in the area. Additionally, there is a risk of worsening the infestation if initial methods do not work. Professionals know how to exterminate the rat population the first time successfully. Below are some examples.

Rat Trapping

The size of the infestation determines the number of rat traps to use and the right bait. Snap traps are usually the first line of treatment. One trap for an infestation of twenty will not go well. Even with the correct number of traps, the process can take up to two weeks.

With both traps and stations like those detailed below, expect roof rats to take several days to adjust to something new in their environment. Professionals recommend placing bait traps somewhere between the rats' nest and food source, but not directly in their path. Place them along baseboards or near burrows.

Baits for Norway rats can include tiny portions of peanut butter, meat, chocolate, gummies, cheese, or fruit. Because rats are omnivores, they are not picky eaters.

Prevent Roof Rat Infestations

Setting baits and traps without implementing exclusions means you will soon have another rat infestation. Exclusions are what keep roof rats from entering your home in the future.

Exclusions are best when done by a professional who can adequately seal every entry point ½" or larger with heavy-duty materials that the roof rats cannot chew through, like concrete or thick metal. For smaller or harder to reach areas, caulk buttressed with hardware cloth or galvanized steel mesh will stop roof rats.

Bait Stations for Ongoing Rodent Control

With larger infestations, bait stations may be a better option. It may take over two weeks to eliminate all the Norway rats in your house. Bait stations are boxes that allow rodents to enter. Once inside, they consume toxic bait. Most Norway rats do not leave the box, but if they can, they carry the toxic materials back to their nests, where other rats will also consume them.

Who Should I Call for Emerald Coast Rat Control?

What Is a Rat Exterminator?

Exterminators are state-licensed pest control technicians trained to kill insects and rodents using chemical products, baits, and traps. They apply solutions to interior and exterior spaces of homes, offices, restaurants, warehouses, and other structures.

Exterminators must know the biology, habits, and habitats of insects and rodents to stop pests from causing damage or ease the fears of property owners. They create a plan of action that typically involves repeated chemical applications to treat areas where pests are active.

What Is a Wildlife Control Operator?

Wildlife control operators understand everything about wildlife, especially those that become a nuisance to property owners. They are certified and trained in methods to prevent, remove, and exclude wildlife and rodents. Wildlife control operators avoid using chemicals and toxic products that kill animals, as they are unethical, inhumane, and rarely provide long-term solutions.

Instead, wildlife removal experts focus on a process that consists of inspection, removal, repairs, and exclusions. They follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding threatened and endangered species.

Pest Solutions They Provide

Exterminators use various methods to get rid of rodents, with rodentcides and rat traps typically being the first line of treatment. Each pest may require a different type of pesticide.

Wildlife control operators use various methods to eliminate and prevent pest activity. “Control” refers to how they manage each pest species using long-term solutions. The primary treatments are safe and humane traps, one-way valves, and exclusions. Wildlife control operators determine why pests are in your home.

Rat Control and Exclusions

Only exterminating the current rat population in your house leaves you vulnerable to future rats. Rats are incredibly flexible, and most of them can easily enter through a hole the size of a quarter.

Exclusions are methods to change your environment to make it less likely that wildlife will choose your property for food, water, or shelter. Exclusions are where you get the most value because they get to the root of the problem. Experts figure out why pests are there, then eliminate those reasons so they do not return.

Exclusions include sealing all entry points, at any size, to your home or office. Wildlife like to use roof ridges, chimneys, vents, soffits, and eaves to access your attic or another warm spot inside your property. Most wildlife will find a small hole and make it bigger, even if that means breaking pieces of your home.

Rat Removal at Critter Control in Destin

At Critter Control, we provide total solutions to your rat problems. We look for droppings, gnawed wires and wood, torn insulation, and smudge marks along their pathways. Our main approach for rat control is to set rat traps. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the process takes approximately seven to ten days. ONce the rat infestation is under control, we install exclusion devices to protect your home. Holes that leave your premises vulnerable are sealed, wires and insulation fixed, and a process of cleaning and sanitation takes place.