Rat Control in Littleton, CO

Norway rats are the species we see on almost every Littleton rat call: heavy-bodied, ground-dwelling, and more likely to burrow in a yard or den under a shed than climb into an attic the way a roof rat would further south or east. A technician looks first for burrow openings along fence lines, under decks, and near foundation edges where the soil is loose.

Rub marks, the greasy smears rats leave along a travel route, and droppings noticeably larger than a mouse's are the two clearest signs. We also check for gnawing on exterior trim and around utility lines, since rats need to gnaw to keep their incisors worn down and will chew through more than food packaging.

Properties near the South Platte River greenbelt and the irrigation ditches that run through parts of the city give Norway rats cover and a water source close to homes. Mature trees and dense hedge rows near older lots do the same thing further from the water. Compost piles, bird feeders and loosely secured trash cans are the most common food draws we find on a yard inspection.

• Burrow openings checked along fence lines, sheds and foundation edges.
• Compost, bird feed and trash storage reviewed as food sources.
• Attic and crawl space checked when indoor activity is reported.

Outdoor burrows get treated at the entrance rather than just the visible mound, since a single burrow system often has two or three openings. Indoors, rodent trapping and removal follows the same travel-route logic used for mice, scaled up for a larger animal. Entry points at grade level, roughly half an inch or wider, get sealed with materials rats cannot gnaw through.

Garage and basement entry points are checked carefully on a rat call, since a Norway rat is a strong enough climber to reach a garage door gap or a gap around a dryer vent even without going near the roof.

We return to check bait stations and traps, confirm burrows have not been re-dug, and advise on any food source, a feeder, a compost bin, a loose trash lid, that is worth changing to keep rats from coming back.