Rats are known to chew and gnaw on any type of material they come across; however, when it comes to nourishment they actually prefer to maintain a particular diet. This fact is not lost on Central Florida homeowners as the large rodents are often attracted to outdoor citrus fruit trees and vegetable gardens. Unfortunately, rats that are drawn to your residential yard are not likely to keep their activity outside. Here are some common food and water sources that attract rats to your Orlando property and ways you can get rid of them.
Common Rat Food Sources
While rats enjoy eating sugary and citrus fruits for its moisture content, they don’t necessarily need it to be fresh. In fact, the rodents will happily feast on rotten and unripe fruit. Types of produce Orlando rats commonly eat include:
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapefruits
- Oranges
- Tangelos
- Tangerines
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Walnuts, almonds, pecans
Rats will also eat anything you feed household pets. If you feed your animals outside or store their food in an easily accessible area of your home like a garage, shed, or porch, rats can chew their way into bags of bird seed, grains, and dog or cat food. Finally, if desperate enough, rats will eat lizards and insects, and household items such as soap, paper, and candle wax.
Common Rat Water Sources
Rats will use their strong, ever-growing teeth to chew through plastic piping and other building materials to get to water. To deter rats from accessing your property’s water supply, frequently check the following inside and outside water sources to make sure any leaks are fixed and rats are not present.
- Faucets
- Sprinkler heads, irrigation boxes and irrigation lines
- Bird baths
- Water fountains and Ornamental ponds
- Irrigation lines
- A/C condensation drip lines
- Pet water dishes
Rats are a particular nuisance to homes and communities throughout Orlando, especially those with citrus trees. If your property has become overrun by hungry rats, rely on the professional rat removal services provided by Critter Control® of Orlando.
Expert Rat Removal Services in Orlando
Critter Control® of Orlando knows all the signs of a rat infestation in Orlando and can help you find the potential food and water sources that may attract rats to your Orlando home. Our experienced wildlife removal technicians will inspect your property to determine the size of the infestation, strategize a custom removal plan to quickly and safely remove all nuisance rats from your property, install safeguards to keep them from returning, and clean and repair any damages the pests caused.
