The growth of urban areas, such as states like Illinois, has created challenges for pests to survive. However, some of them keep learning to adapt to the new environment around them. The most skilled at adapting are rats. Illinois cities are a hotspot for rat activity as they offer food, shelter, and a favorable environment. 

Nowadays, rats have developed behaviors that will help them survive in both natural and urban settings, something they could not have done a few decades ago. If you are a homeowner or business owner in Illinois, controlling rats is important. Getting Exterminator Services in Belleville is the best option, as they can provide customized solutions. 

How do rats adapt their feeding habits in cities? 

1. Changes in feeding habits.

Rats can literally feed on anything. In cities, they have adapted to scavenging from human waste, including garbage, food scraps, and even restaurant leftovers. 

Urban areas provide a variety of foods, and these rodents have learned how to search for these food sources effectively. Therefore, when they have constant access to a lot of food items, they thrive well and multiply rapidly.

2. Increased nocturnal activity.

Rats are active at night, and they are even more active in cities. During the night, they avoid human contact and collect food from places where human activity is low. This darkness helps them hide when they are searching for food, water, and shelter. 

3. Social structure and nesting in hidden places.

Rats are social animals and prefer to live in colonies. They seek shelter in dark, hidden places to make their nests. In cities, these shelters can be found in attics, basements, and even inside walls of buildings. In these places, they also remain hidden and safe from predators and humans. This makes their control even more challenging.

4. Ability to fit through small spaces.

Rats can surprisingly squeeze through the tiniest gaps or openings. They have a very flexible body which lacks a rigid collar bone, allowing them to fit through openings as small as a quarter-inch wide. This ability allows them to enter buildings and small spaces where food and shelter may be found. 

5. Enhanced senses.

Rats have extraordinary sense. They rely on them to find their way within the urban jungle. Their strong smelling sense helps them in detecting food, water, and danger. 

Their sense of hearing is equally sensitive. It allows them to detect sounds that even humans cannot hear, including ultrasonic frequencies. These advanced senses help them to avoid dangers, find resources, and survive more effectively in cities.

6. Resistance to toxins and traps.

When rats are constantly sprayed with toxins and chemicals, they become resistant to them over time. Some species have become resistant to poisons, while some have learned to avoid traps altogether. This resistance is due to their rapid reproduction rates and ability to adapt quickly to environmental change.

How do rats pose a threat?

Rats have a big impact on cities and affect public health, infrastructure, food supply, etc. they carry harmful diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and hantavirus. These can be transmitted to humans through direct contact or contaminated food and water. 

These rodents can also cause serious damage to your infrastructure and wiring by chewing through electrical wires, pipes, and insulation. Repairing these can cost you hundreds of dollars. 

What are the effective control measures one can take?

If you want to save your property from damage, there are several strategies to eliminate rats. First and foremost, maintaining hygiene is very important. 

Clean up any food waste and remove any food source that can attract these rodents. Also, make sure your trash cans are secured properly. To prevent their entry into your homes, close all the entry points, including gaps, cracks, holes, and vents. If they are already living on your property, install baits and traps to catch them.

Don’t let rats outsmart you!

Rats are intelligent creatures. However, you can still control them effectively with expert assistance. Hire professional pest control today!