How Big Are The Rats In Monmouth County?Rats and mice look similar to each other. However, most people are usually able to quickly tell the difference between these two animals because of their size difference. Rats have much bigger bodies and longer tails than mice. Two types of rats are commonly found in Monmouth County, which are the Norway rat and the roof rat.Norway rat: Also known as the "brown rat," the Norway rat has a long body that can grow to over nine inches long and is covered in coarse brown fur. They also have long tails that are about the length of their body, small ears, and a tiny, blunt nose. Most fully grown Norway rats measure around 16 inches from their nose to the tip of their tail.Roof rat: The roof rat is slightly smaller than the Norway rat. A fully grown roof rat's body will usually measure between six and eight inches long. However, they also have long tails that can measure up to eight inches long as well, which means, in total, the roof rat is about 16 inches long. They are commonly known to have dark brown or gray fur, large ears, and a pointy nose. They are sometimes referred to as "black rats" or "ship rats" and are thought to be responsible for the bubonic plague.Both of these types of rats are known to cause a lot of damage if they come into your home. Five Tips For Effective Rat PreventionRats can sneak into your home without you knowing it. To prevent these destructive rodents from being drawn to your property, follow these five tips:Store food in airtight glass or metal containers.Keep a tight lid on your outdoor trash cans.Keep your outdoor trash cans as far away from your house as possible.Promptly fix any leaky pipes and remove all standing water and moisture from your home.Seal up any cracks, gaps, or vents in the exterior wall of your home with steel wool or caulking.If a rat can get inside your home, it can be difficult to get it to leave. And female rats can have more than 60 babies each year. If you are unable to get this rodent out of your home soon, you could end up with a full rat infestation in just a matter of weeks. How And Why Rats Find Their Way Into HomesRats will come into your home in search of water, shelter, and food. If they think that they can get an endless supply of all three at your home, they will never leave. This is why it is important to make all food and water in your home inaccessible to rats. Rats are capable of squeezing through surprisingly small holes, often as small as a quarter, so sealing up any potential access points is an important step toward keeping them out.Monmouth County's Secret Weapon To Complete Rodent ControlRats can cause a big problem for the residents of Monmouth County. If you think that you have rats in your home or around your property, do not hesitate to contact us today. At Alliance Pest Service, we take the safety and well-being of our customers seriously. We will act fast and go to work to get rid of all of the rats in your home for good.