Is the rat infestation in your house getting out of hand? Then, it’s time to take action! Not only are these rodents unpleasant to look at, but they are also carriers of various diseases. To add to the problem, rats can also be extremely destructive. Walls, electrical wiring, insulation – nothing is safe in your house when you have rats creeping around.
Thankfully, there are ways to get rid of these unwelcome visitors. But, while recognising that there is a rat problem is the first step, you will still need to figure out how to evict rats from your property once and for all.
In this article, you can learn to do just that. So keep reading to learn the top tips to help eliminate rats from your home.
Simple Tips to Help Get Rid of Rats
Inspect Your Home for Rat Hideouts
First things first – you need to investigate the severity of the rat population in your home and identify possible rat hideouts. Then, conduct a complete inspection of the premises to detect where they are coming from.
You can start by checking the outside of your house to note the more obvious access points. Pay close attention to gaps around vents, damaged drains, cracks in the garage door, and crevices in the foundation.
Then you can move on to check on access points on the inside of your house. Potential access points often include drains, vents, and appliance lines. After a thorough inspection and identifying all the places from where rats are entering your property, you can begin to eliminate the rats by setting traps and sealing the entry points.
Seal the Entry Points
Rats do not need large openings to enter your house. They can squeeze through holes as small as a one-dollar coin! If you can stick two fingers through a hole, a rat will most definitely be able to squeeze itself through it. Keep this in mind when sealing gaps, cracks, and holes on the surfaces inside and around your house.
Ensure proper material is used to seal these openings. For long-lasting results, you can use wire wool, cement, caulk, hardware cloth, or metal kick plates. Using a weather strip for doors and windows with more significant gaps is also a good idea. Be sure to check the openings a few times every month and refill them when required.
Keep Your Home Clean and Clutter-free
One of the best and permanent ways to get rid of rats in your house is to keep it clean. Also, make sure rats do not find a suitable shelter and source of food in your home. Always remember that what they love are cosy shelters and places where they can hide.
You can make your home unattractive to rats by cleaning the clutter inside and outside your property. Another great tip is to move furniture and other objects away from the walls. If you have heavy vegetation in your backyard, consider removing it as rats love to hide in it. Also, take note that your pipes and drains are kept clean.
Pay attention to how food waste is disposed of. Always keep trash in closed bins and clean spills immediately. Do not leave leftovers or pet food around as this will attract rats who are always in search of food.
Set Rat Traps
Are you looking to reduce the rat population without the help of harsh poisons and rodenticides? Then, trapping is your best bet. This poison-free method is the most effective technique to kill rats. You can set your own traps – just make sure to use loads of them and place them in high-activity areas.
There are quite a few trap options you can choose from. However, no matter which type of trap you choose, be sure to use rats’ favourite food such as unsalted seeds, apples, bananas, or peanut butter as bait to lure them effectively.
The most common type of trap for rats is a snap trap. Snap traps have a spring-stacked bar which snaps down and catches rats. These extremely easy-to-use traps effectively combat mild to moderate rat problems.
Glue boards are also a viable non-poisonous option for capturing rats. Also known as sticky traps, these traps use large adhesive pads to snare a rat’s foot on contact. The problem with this option is it may not capture bigger rats effectively. Also, glue boards will only help trap the pests but killing or disposing of the rodent will be your responsibility.
Get a Pet Cat
A sure-shot way to reduce the rat population in your house is to get a cat. Cats do not get along very well with rats and love to hunt them. Not only will this help tackle any current rat problem in your house, but a pet cat can also help prevent future rat infestations. Any cat will be good for this job, but barn or predominantly outdoor cats are considered the best hunters.
Have a Bird-friendly Yard
Inviting some natural rat predators in your yard is also an excellent way to reduce rats in your home. Owls are one of the best examples of this. Owls can prey on dozens of rats in just one night, so it’s a good idea to create a suitable habitat for owls and other birds. You can start by adding a water source and building a nest box.
Rely on Natural Ingredients to Deter Rats
You’ll be surprised how some simple natural ingredients like cloves and black pepper can help get rid of rats. To deter rats, simply spread cloves, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and peppermint oil around the exterior of your home. This will prevent rats from entering the premises. You can also sprinkle pepper spray or crushed pepper near rat openings to irritate their noses and discourage them from entering your property.
Using essential oils is another chemical-free method to get rid of rats. Essential oil such as peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus have a strong, pungent scent that can help keep rats away.
Conclusion
Have you noticed signs of a rat infestation in your house? Don’t be alarmed! Identification is the first step; after that, eliminating rats from your home is easier than you think. You can start by sealing all gaps and entryways first. Next, it is time to remove hiding spots for the rodents by keeping the house clutter-free and clean. The final step is to take an attacking approach. You can do this by setting traps or poison baits. You may also introduce natural rat predators such as cats and birds into the house to bring the rat population under control. If none of these suits you, you can deter rats by enveloping the property with natural ingredients such as pepper, cloves and essential oils.
While the solutions mentioned above are effective, they are not foolproof. So an easy and guaranteed way to manage the rat infestation is to call professionals to investigate the situation and use appropriate techniques. Remember, rats multiply very quickly, so take action today if you spot even one on your premises.
