Not a few motorbike owners had the misfortune of finding the electrical wirings of their 2-wheel vehicle totally damaged after rats chewed on them overnight. Actually, ever since manufacturers started using soy-based insulations for electrical wirings, rodents have taken a liking to chewing wires anywhere they could find them; in homes, in cars and yes, even in bikes where wires lay open and vulnerable to rat infestation issues
The damage that rodents do can be quite expensive to repair, as not a few motorcycle owners had to replace the whole wiring harness to get their motor vehicle working again. Many were surprised that rats are able to squeeze themselves inside the tiny wiring compartment, with only a tiny gap as a possible entry point. .
Rat Control Experts Explain Rat Behavior and Characteristics
According to San Antonio rat control experts, the rodents can enter gaps even if the opening is as small as the size of a quarter. Mainly because of the collapsible design of their rib bones, which are hinged to the spinal column. In case the gap is too small for them to get in, they simply use their very sharp teeth to chew the opening until it becomes large enough for them to pass through.
Studies about rodents reveal that part of their natural behavior is to grind their continuously growing teeth to prevent them from becoming too long. Such behavior has caused numerous property damages as they are inclined to scrape or gnaw on materials that make teeth-grinding easy for them.
Furthermore, rats have the ability to scale any rough surface; enabling them to climb walls and reach higher places, including dirty parking lots located several floors above the ground.
According to rat control experts in San Antonio, Texas, the most common areas by which rodents enter houses are the A/C tubing exhaust gaps. Some others discover entry points in roofs going to the attic, while as far as garage doors are concerned, the closures don’t come as sealed as the other doors of a house.
Importance of Taking Immediate Action Once There are Signs of Outdoor Rat Visits
Rat control experts give advice that homeowners should take immediate action once they notice any sign of outdoor rodent issue. Don’t wait until rodents find ways to get inside one’s home because once they do, their invasion will likely cause greater damage.
Look for indications of the animal’s presence, such as scratch marks and droppings. These signs mean a homeowner needs to call on a professional rat control expert who has knowledge of all possible entry points that need to be sealed to prevent indoor rat infestation.
Preventing Rodents from Coming Back
While sealing all possible entries is an important mitigation measure, homeowners must also make sure that the rats will not be coming back to their property.
1. Keep rats away by always maintaining yards clean and free of any piles of scraps, since mice and rats use them as hiding or breeding places.
2. Make sure that trash cans have lids that fit snugly, since even a tiny gap will allow rodents to get in.
3. While some are into composting as a way to reduce and reuse instead of sending all wastes to landfills, composting materials like food, cardboard, paper, and other similar scraps are food for rats and other rodent species.
4. If a compost is really necessary, use a container that can be shut tightly and position it above ground level, as well as away from trees and walls. Some suggest tightly wrapping plastic compost containers with thick wire mesh as an added protection against the chewing habits of rodents.