Introduction
Rats are not only getting braver, but they are also breeding faster than we have ever seen. These disease-carrying invaders can get through cracks the size of a dime, chew through walls, spread disease to everything they touch, and breed faster than you can imagine. If you leave them alone, one pair of rats can produce 2,000 babies in a year. That noise in your attic? Those droppings in your kitchen? There are signs that a problem is already getting worse.
The longer you wait, the worse the infestation gets, the more damage it does to your property, and the more health risks it poses. Long Pest Control is here to help homeowners get their homes back before it’s too late.
This year, rats have been more active than ever before. We’ll explain why populations are growing so quickly, how these pests get into homes, what warning signs need to be dealt with right away, and the quickest ways to get rid of them.
Why Rat Infestations Are Increasing This Year
This year, things have changed, and rats are doing very well. Recent scientific data paints a disturbing picture of rodent populations spiraling out of control.
Researchers analyzed 16 cities between 2007 and 2024 and found that more than 40% of the growth in rat populations is directly linked to rising temperatures. Washington D.C. saw a 390% increase, San Francisco 300%, Toronto 186%, and New York City 162%. Warmer weather extends breeding seasons by 2-4 weeks annually. Female rats reach sexual maturity faster and have 7 to 10 litters a year, each with 6 to 10 babies.
Urban development makes the best homes for rats. Old sewer systems act like highways under the ground. There are still gaps in the construction. Rats move closer to buildings when there isn’t as much green space. Rats are great at finding food, and more people mean more trash.
IMPORTANT FACT: Rodents chew on electrical wires all the time, which is why they start 20–25% of all fires in the US that don’t have a known cause.
Fire departments notice frayed wires and electrocuted rats at fire scenes. Takingrodent removal seriously is important for your family’s safety.
How Rats Enter Washington Homes
Rats don’t need the key to your front door. Their teeth are 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means they can gnaw through wood, plastic, aluminum, and even soft concrete.
Rats squeeze through openings as small as a quarter. Foundation cracks develop from moisture and natural settling. What looks like a hairline fracture to you is a welcome mat to a rat. Homeowners throughout the area seeking rodent removal in Tacoma, WA, andOlympia, WA often discover rats entered through these overlooked vulnerabilities.
Check where pipes, cables, and wires enter your home. Contractors often leave these areas poorly sealed. Rats exploit these gaps to access wall voids and attics without you knowing.
Warning Signs of a Rat Infestation
Early detection prevents total catastrophe. Watch for these telltale signs:
- Droppings: Fresh rat droppings appear dark and moist. Older ones turn gray and crumbly. You’ll find them along walls, inside cabinets, near food storage, and throughout attics. Norway rats leave blunt droppings about 3/4 inch long. Roof rats produce smaller, pointed ones.
- Gnaw Marks: Fresh gnaw marks look lighter in color—wood appears freshly exposed, and plastic shows clean cuts. Check food packaging, electrical wiring, wooden structures, and plastic containers.
- Nocturnal Noises: Listen for scratching sounds in walls or ceilings, footsteps running around in attics, and gnawing noises that don’t stop after dark.
- Pet Behavior: Your pets can smell rats before you can. Keep an eye out for dogs scratching at walls or cats staring at certain spots. Have faith in your pet’s instincts.
Fast Ways to Stop Rats Before They Spread
Speed matters when dealing with rats. These strategies provide immediate impact:
- Cut Off Food Access: Rats can live on just one ounce of food a day. Put dry goods in containers that don’t let air in. Take away the pet food after they eat. Right away, clean up any spills. Take the trash out often and use trash cans that are strong and have lids that stay on tight.
- Remove Shelter Options: Trim vegetation at least 12 inches from structures. Remove or elevate wood piles 18 inches off the ground. Clear debris and yard clutter. Declutter basements, attics, and storage areas. Store items on shelves 18 inches above the floor.
- Seal Entry Points: Fill small holes with steel wool secured with caulk. Use concrete for larger foundation cracks. Apply weatherstripping to windows and doors. Install metal screens over vents with holes no larger than 1/4 inch. Put caps on the chimney and fix the gutters that are broken.
WITH THE RIGHT ACTION: Your home becomes a fortress against rats.
WITHOUT ACTION: The infestation gets worse, the health risks get worse, and the damage to property gets worse.
Why Professional Rodent Removal Works
DIY attempts fix small problems. For serious infestations, you need to hire a professional for rodent removal.
Every flaw is found by trained professionals. Long Pest Control looks at homes from the ground up to the roofline to find entry points that homeowners often miss. Our inspections find places where bugs are nesting, places they travel, and things in the environment that are making the problem worse.
Professional rodent removalis all about getting rid of the problem for good. We use heavy-duty steel mesh, professional sealants, and repairs to the structure that will last. We set traps in the right places based on how rats act, and we check them again later to make sure they work.
You need to treat different rats in different ways. Norway Rats have a habit of digging holes in the ground, especially in basements. These gray-to-brown rats are about 20 inches long. Rats that live in roofs climb to high places, like attics, to make their homes. These rats are dark-colored and can measure 12 to 18 inches in length, with tails longer than their bodies.
According to the CDC, rodents can spread more than 35 diseases to humans. During cleanup, professional technicians wear the right safety gear and follow strict safety rules. We get rid of contaminated materials in a way that follows health rules. This keeps families from getting sick with hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis.
How Long Does Pest Control Help Homeowners
Since 1979, we’ve helped families throughout the region eliminate rat infestations. Our family-run business understands the urgency posed by rats.
Rat problems don’t wait, and neither do we. Call us at +1-253-444-4451 for same-day or next-day service. We’ll get someone out to your place fast. Our technicians check everything—every crack, every corner, every possible entry point. Then we walk you through what we found and answer whatever questions you’ve got.
Once we know what we’re dealing with, we put together a plan that actually fits your situation. Our crew uses professional-grade tools and proven rodent removal methods that work. We don’t just knock down the problem you’ve got right now—we make sure it doesn’t come back. Follow-up visits? Yeah, we handle those too.
Taking Action Against Rats
Here’s the deal—rats are having a banner year. Climate change has given them longer breeding seasons, and cities everywhere are seeing their populations triple. They’re squeezing through cracks the size of a quarter and chewing through just about anything with those crazy-strong teeth. Catch the signs early—droppings, gnaw marks, greasy trails, nighttime scratching—and you’ve got a shot at stopping this before it gets out of hand.
We’ve been doing this for over 40 years at Long Pest Control. Same-day response, real inspections, plans that actually work. Professional rodent removal means getting it done right—thorough checks, permanent fixes, and prevention that sticks around. DIY stuff? It’s fine for tiny problems. But when rats move in for real, you need backup. We’ve got your back across the region with rodent removal in Tacoma, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Auburn, Puyallup, University Place, and surrounding areas.
Don’t let rats put your family’s health and safety at risk. The longer you wait, the worse the infestation gets. To set up your inspection, call us today at +1-253-343-1276. Our skilled staff is ready to help you get your space back and bring you peace of mind.
