Georgia rats vary in size, because we usually see the larger variety it is easy to assume that these should be your main concern. However, the smaller the rat is, the easier it is for them to enter your home. It is very important to ensure that there are no holes for them to enter through.



The best way to do this is to walk through your property, with a clipboard, and make a list of all the potential weak points in the façade. You can then go back and fix them all yourself, or you can employ a professional contractor or builder to make sure that your home is inaccessible to rats.

Where to start

Outside
The best place to start would be on the outside of your house, the most obvious problems would be found there.

Arm yourself with a clipboard and a torch.
The torch is of utmost importance, as rats often get into spaces that cannot easily be seen with the naked eye. Walk around your house and look out for the following indicators:
- Burrows. Alpharetta rats can borrow underneath foundation to gain entry to your home.
- Holes where pipes enter. If the entry points haven’t been closed correctly, it could be an entry point for Alpharetta rats.
- Grease marks. This can be found both inside and outside your home. They will usually be more visible on pipes or rafters.
- Runways. Rats like to run in the same area, if you find an area in your vegetation that looks like it might have been used as a path, have a look to see where it leads.
Get a ladder and inspect your roof for holes where Georgia rats can enter.

Inside
The inside of your house might be the easier of the two tasks, as you are more likely to see Alpharetta rat dropping or obvious holes.

The following may be an indication that there are entry points in the vicinity
- Pellets (droppings) in an area will indicate that Georgia rats are entering close by.
- Gnaw marks. Rats can make quite large holes in the walls of your home, they will predominantly be found in drywall and skirting boards.
- Urine stains. You can use a UV light to see where these are, they will usually be an indication that there is an entry point near.
- Tracks. These will be most obvious in areas where dust gathers.

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