Did you know that rats are a very common indoor problem in Florida? I know, gross right. No one likes to think about it. As you know, it is a common natural response to be phobic of this menace. You should know that rats are not just a big city sewer system problem. Rats are very much a tropical Florida problem. The most common rats we have here have even been nick named “palm rats”. Isn’t that so cute? Just like our roaches have been nicked named “palmetto bugs”. Somehow this is supposed to make us feel better about the rats and roaches living in and around our homes. Well, it doesn’t.

Do you have rats in your attic?  More than likely. This is why the most common rat in Florida has an official name of Roof Rat. Why were they named Roof Rat, you may ask? Great question: because they are such good climbers. Did you know they actually have longer tails than other rats (like the common Norway Rat) to assist them in balancing making them great climbers and running across wires, trees, up walls, attics and anywhere else rats like to go.

When we inspect homes like yours for pest problems, it is very common for us to uncover issues you had no idea were going on in your structure and one of the most alarming is a rat or rodent problem. You have no idea that rats are slipping in and out of your home undetected. The rat population is growing in and around your home by the day. This is just nature doing what it does. So unless you are just trying to keep the neighborhood predator feed than please call us to help stop your home from being contaminated.

Did you know that if you have rats, that they carry different diseases?  If you have rats in your home, you typically have a much bigger problem than just the rats by themselves. A list of some of the diseases they carry are listed on another page of this site (Live Animal Removal).  You need to consider the fact that they could chew through your wiring, and run around your air ducts, and your walls. They multiply quickly and can get to a very large populations over a short period.  Rats are a very common issue in Florida and need to be dealt with immediately and by a professional.  We strongly urge you to not try and handle rats on your own.  This can be dangerous and do it yourselfers or other bug control guys can actually make the problem worse and take us longer to get this problem under control for you. Not just the trapping but the cleaning and sealing process also needs to be done by someone who has the knowledge and experience.

You might be asking, “how do I or other companies actually make the problem worse”? Great question. Rats are very suspicious by nature. When a rat problem is discovered, there is a right way to address it and there are many wrong ways to deal with it. Let me use a more common saying especially since unfortunately we are all probably more familiar at dealing with car issues through the years than we are at dealing with rodent issues. Do you know that saying “just because you have a wrench that doesn’t make you a mechanic” Do you go to the repair garage just because they have the tools there? Or do you go there because they have the knowledge to deal with the problem your car is having? And a proper plan is put in place to rectify the situation. At least that is what we hope for when we have a good mechanic. This is a great analogy because great mechanics that are also trustworthy and honest are as hard to find as a great, trustworthy and honest animal and pest control company. I am sure you can relate. So, back to your question.

When someone starts taking some of the wrong steps and not properly introducing traps or other control devises into the environment of these animals that are paranoid by nature that will actually cause the rats to avoid the control measures. There is a term for these rats. They are then called “trap shy” rats. Most other animal and pest control companies are not aware of this (until they read our site, but that’s okay we love to help) much less know how to avoid it and fortunately we also have the knowledge and skill to rectify these situations after the fact. This is one of the many reasons our customers love us, and we love them. We will do what it takes to resolve your problem and just as importantly, we will not rest until you are happy. That is right we do not just want to satisfy you we want to make you down right happy with your decision.

Did you know, that as hard as it can be, that removing the rats might be just were we start? We do much more than just trap and remove the rats, we can also completely cleanup and disinfect the area, so you don’t have to worry! Unfortunately, you need to be aware rats are very elusive. If you are still reading this I know you are a knowledge seeker and you are smart enough to already guess why rats are elusive. That’s right. Rats are pretty far down the food chain. There are many predators in our environment that would love to catch them. Rats have adapted to survive. They hide, they shelter, and they reproduce quickly assuring the survival of their bloodline. This elusive behavior is one of the reasons why you could have them in your home or business for extended periods of time before you are aware of the issue. This gives them the chance to do damage, reproduce and do extensive contamination, like the insulation in your attic just soaking up their waste. We are capable of identifying this issue and can even remove and replace the contaminated insulation. We will make sure that everything is back to the way it needs to be. For a reputable professional, please give us a call.

Good! You are still reading. I promise I am not trying to bore you or gross you out. I am just trying to share information with you. I believe in education. Training is a vital differentiator with Animal Removal and More Inc. I also believe in educating our customers and even people that may be our customers one day. I have faith that once you are aware of what is really going on it will move an intelligent person to take some action and my sincere hope is if the action you pick requires professional assistance that you give us the humble honor of helping you.

I will close with the most important thing you need to know for a long term solution or even prevention of your current or future rat problem. Exclusion, fixing or sealing the structure. Whatever you want to call it. We call it a rodent exclusion. You may ask, “what does rodent exclusion mean”? Just what it sounds like. We are trained to know the most common areas rats get into your structure and even how to find the uncommon areas and repair those entry points with rodent proof materials so they cannot get back in again. Ever, guaranteed.  

Why, you might ask, is a rodent exclusion so important? It is the only long term solution. Okay hold on we are about to get a little gross. Even if we come and catch every rat that is currently in your home, the rats that have been coming in and out of the structure have left a pheromone trail to their different points of entry. Basically rats (here it comes sorry) urinate as they are running, leaving a scent for them and other rats and animals to follow. So, let’s go back to the theory we have caught everything. Now what? Well the pheromone trails are still leading any other unrelated rats right into your home. We can keep catching rats until the end of time. Basically trapping is treating the symptoms not the whole problem.

If you would like a to know exactly what is going on and what level of total solution you may or may not need and you would like to deal with a professional, caring and honest company that can handle the whole project no matter how big or small than please call us. The first step starts with us doing an inspection of your property and informing you of our findings and recommendations. This step is done with no cost or obligation on your part other than being home to let us in, of course. After that, it is up to you if you would like to proceed. Here is our thoughts on why we do this. We believe we are here to give you the facts. Nothing more and nothing less. What you do with this knowledge is up to you. But if you need expert help we hope that you would give us the chance to make you happy. So, now that you know there is absolutely nothing stopping you. Please call with any questions or go ahead and let us schedule a convenient time with you for your inspection.