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How to Get Rid of Rats in Virginia
Rats are a problem no matter where you are; Virginia is no exception. These rodents can cause property damage, contaminate food, and spread disease. The worst part? They’re great at hiding and they reproduce fast. The longer they’re allowed to stay in place, the better-established they become, and the harder they are to remove. That’s why it’s important to act fast when you spot a rat.
Causes of Rat Infestations
Rats are most likely to enter human dwellings when the weather is cooling down. They overwinter in areas with plentiful food, water, and shelter. Your home or business could be appealing if it offers:
- Accessible Food. Use airtight containers to store food and clean up spills promptly. Even a few crumbs can feed a hungry rat for days.
- Nesting Materials. Rats will use anything from pieces of string to shredded cardboard to build their nests. While you’re securing the garbage, make sure to think about your recycling as well!
- Sources of Water. Rats can survive without food for a long time – as long as they have water. Take care of sources of standing water – and leaky pipes – to eliminate water sources on your property.
Remember that even the cleanest home or business can develop a rodent problem. Keeping clean doesn’t guarantee that rodents will stay away, so it’s important to take other measures as well.
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Preventative Measures Against Rodents
The following are just a few of the preventative measures you can take to reduce your risk of developing a mouse or rat problem:
- Reduce clutter. Keeping clean isn’t just about looks! Clutter makes it easy for rats to hide, and when they find a good hiding spot, they’ll settle in and get busy. Clearing away unused items and yard debris can make your space much less welcoming.
- Manage waste properly. Make sure to take out the trash regularly. Also, use a tight-fitting or locking lid to keep rats out of the outdoor garbage. Rodents aren’t picky!
- Address moisture issues. Leaky plumbing fixtures can be an easy water source for rats, and fixing those leaks is an easy way to deter them.
- Use traps and bait. Traps and bait stations in high-traffic areas can help handle a small-scale rodent infestation.
How to Get Rid of Burrowing Rats
Rats are great at burrowing and chewing. They dig underground to build tunnels for shelter. To minimize your risk of a burrowing rat problem:
- Identify entry points. Look for signs of burrowing around your foundation. Many different pests can make these burrows; rats are just one of them.
- Set traps. Snap traps or baited live traps in areas where you suspect the rodents are burrowing.
- Use rodenticides. Pesticides may be needed in severe cases. Make sure to follow package instructions carefully and adhere to local guidelines that dictate where you can use these. They’re usually best left in the hands of a professional.
- Seek professional help. The best way to make sure your infestation is dealt with properly – and stays gone – is to call a professional. Even if you’re facing a small-scale infestation, a pro’s help can make it that much easier to handle.
Get Rid of Rats with Professional Exterminators in Virginia
DIY rodent control might be tempting as a cost-saving measure, but they aren’t permanent solutions; they will be temporarily effective at best and completely ineffective at worst. Most importantly, they won’t do anything to address the underlying causes of the infestation.
Loyal Termite & Pest Control’s team is well-versed in the latest and best rodent control techniques. With 2025 years of experience, you can count on us to make sure your rat problem is dealt with – and stays gone. Give us a call to get started.
How to Get Rid of Rats in Virginia in Virginia
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