Rat Infestations And Structural Damage In West Palm Beach: Protecting Your Home’s Integrity


January 31, 2024

A rat infestation can pose many threats to your home. These destructive rodents are capable of chewing through every inch of your home, leaving behind dangerous and costly damage in their wake. 

Rat control is something that should be taken seriously by every homeowner. At Empire Pest Defense, we know how dangerous it can be to have these medium-sized rodents hanging around your property; this is why our rat exterminators in West Palm Beach have devised several innovative strategies designed to keep rats out of your house. 

 

brown rat outside

Understanding The Consequences Of Rat Infestations

Rats can cause a lot of disruptions in your home. They are destructive and can also affect sanitation in your home by leaving urine and feces everywhere. Their bodily waste is known to cause severe allergic reactions in some people. And because rats are known to crawl in attics, behind walls, and even the air ducts, the allergens can be challenging to eliminate and could spread into the air you breathe. 

Rats can spread more than just allergens; they can also spread a variety of diseases. Some harmful pathogens they leave behind can cause people to become sick with a wide range of illnesses, including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and eosinophilic meningitis. 

Our rat control experts have also received reports of homeowners contracting rat-bite fever from a rat infestation. Despite the name, you don’t have to be bitten by a rat to contract rat-bite fever. While rat bites and scratches can cause some people to catch these viral infections, they can also be transmitted through the rat’s saliva and transferred when they leave their saliva around food, water, or food preparation surfaces. 


The Impact Of Rats On Electrical Systems And Cables

Rats have sharp teeth that can easily gnaw through wires and cables of various sizes. When they invade your home, they will spend most of their time in the space behind your walls or above your ceiling; this gives them easy access to the electrical wires in your home. Chewing through the protective sheath could expose some wires, potentially a fire hazard. 

They can also easily chew through internet cables and power cords on your TV, refrigerator, and other household appliances. If they damage any part of the power chord, it could mean you have to replace the appliances, which can be extremely costly.

A rat exterminator near you can inspect your home and ensure all electrical wires and cables are intact.

 

Key Areas To Check For Rat-Related Structural Issues

Rats can chew through the structural beams of your home and cause significant damage to the ceiling, floors, and other areas of your home. If you want to assess the amount of structural damage caused by rats, our rat extermination team recommends inspecting these areas:

  • Attic
  • Walls
  • Crawl spaces
  • Bathrooms
  • Cabinets
  • Garages

If you see any gnaw marks or holes in the area of your house, you should contact a professional rat removal expert right away. 


Professional Rodent Control Why Expertise Matters

Rats can hide in the smallest crevices of your home. To eliminate a rat infestation in your home, you will need the help of a professional rat extermination team.

At Empire Pest Defense, we have decades of experience and know the safest and most effective way to remove rats from your West Palm Beach home for good. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection. 

 

Tags: rodent control | rodent maintenance | rodent prevention |