Authored by Dan Huie
Two days ago I had the pleasure of visiting a client’s home in response to their request for help with their crawl space. Their home was beautiful and you could tell they held high standards and cared very much for their property. What I saw in their crawl space saddened me, although it is very, very common. Their insulation, duct work, and vapor barrier had been thoroughly soiled. Unfortunately, there was no saving it. Roof Rats (rattus rattus for those of us who love more scientific names) had been coming and going for two decades. The homeowner had been trapping rats relentlessly and they knew their neighborhood had a significant problem. However, their intermittent success had led to a false sense of security. Enlisting the services of a conscientious, reputable, and effective pest control service long ago could have saved them several thousand dollars in repairs today.
Most of us wait to see evidence before we think we have a rodent infestation. When our neighbors call an exterminating company we feel relieved that we have not had issues. However, both Norway Rats and Roof Rats are quite comfortable in our Northwest Environment where lakes, streams, green-belts, woods, black berries and dense ground cover such as Ivy abound. When rodents infest one property in your neighborhood, it is important to realize the environmental links between the infested property and your home. Having your home inspected for rodent access, performing rodent exclusion, and monitoring for exterior rodent pressure can keep you well ahead of the game.
For great pictures and succinct information about rats, check out the following link: www.ratbehavior.org/QuizNorwayRatRoofRat.htm
Dan Huie is the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of United Pest Solutions, Inc. Located in the Bellevue area of Washington state, Mr. Huie has sixteen years of experience with professional pest control involving Human Resource and Pest Management Professional Training. He is extensively involved with the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA) and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).