Did you know that rats are more than just a household nuisance? They can also be a serious threat to your family’s well-being. Rats, like many other species, thrive in urban environments where there are plenty of hiding places and food. Their presence in your home or business means they have found a way into your space. Getting rid of rats is necessary if you want to keep them from coming back, as well as protect the rest of the family from their bite and droppings. Here are effective ways to get rid of rats.
1. Get rid of rats at their source
Before you get rid of rats, you need to first find out where they are coming from. If you have a rat problem in your home, you will need to address the source. This will ensure that you are also addressing the problem once you have removed the rats. You can look for rats by using a flashlight and going through the following areas of your home:
- Attic – Most commonly found in older homes with no roof ventilation.
- Basement – This is often where rats come from if they have access to a nearby wall or foundation.
- Closets – These are often places where food and water are left out, so you may want to keep them clean.
- Outside wall – This is where rats tend to get into your home through cracks, walls, or openings.
2. Clean up your garbage
Rats are drawn to your garbage for the smell of food left out for them. Even if you do not see any rats, they can still get into your home through a hole in your garbage container. If you have a garbage disposal unit, make sure it is not leaking and that there are no holes providing a way of entry for the rats. Seal openings with caulk or use a bunger plug to keep them shut. Clean your garbage container often. If you do not have a garbage disposal unit, you can use an odor eliminator to remove the smell of rotting food and keep rats at bay.
3. Set rat traps
Rat traps are a highly effective way of getting rid of rats, but they need to be set correctly. There are many types of rat traps, and they differ in terms of how they work and how they are set. Fortunately, setting a trap correctly is easy, which makes rat trapping a great way to get rid of rats. Here are some steps to setting rat traps effectively:
- Check the trap daily and reset it as needed.
- Set the trap along a wall where rats are likely to run.
- Place the trap in a spot where the rats are entering your home.
- Make sure the trap trigger is not set too low, as this will result in the trap not catching the rat. Ideally, the trigger should be set halfway between the rat’s paw and its mouth.
- After setting the trap, check the trap every 15 minutes until the rat is caught.
- If the rat is caught in the trap, release it in an area without access to food or shelter.
4. Store food properly
If you keep your food properly, rats will only visit if they really want to feed. This means that you will have to seal openings and make sure that there is no food left out. Get rid of any food that is past its use date and replace it with fresh food. You can also buy rat-proof containers for your food that will keep rats away.
5. Eliminate hiding places
You will also have to eliminate any areas where rats can hide. If you have a hole in the wall or under your house that is a possible entry point, seal it up. You can also cover cracks or holes with caulk or tape. You can also use rat-proof plastic or metal sheeting.
6. Seal up openings
Keep openings in your home closed, especially if they go to the outside. This will prevent rats from getting in and will also keep other unwanted animals out of your space. Make sure that you close off spaces with debris, such as crawlspaces under your house, or holes in your wall or foundation. You can also try using rat-proof window screening, which will keep them out while letting air in.
7. Keep your home dry and well ventilated.
Damp spaces are one of the favorite places for rats to hide. Make sure that your home has proper ventilation and that there are no leaks or water in the walls or floors. You can also use an air purifier to keep the air in your home clean. You can also use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air. This will keep the air from being an ideal place for rats to hide.
8. Use predator odor to scare them away.
If you are serious about getting rid of rats, you can try using predator odor to scare them away. This is a natural scent that is meant to keep other rats out of your territory, so it can also be used to keep rats away. You can purchase predator odor around the city or make your own. You can make a predator odor by mixing a few essential oils together. This can also be done with a simple recipe. You can also try using an ultrasonic pest repeller to scare off rats. These devices use high-frequency sound to repel pests and are very effective. You can place these devices in areas where the rats have been seen.
Call Anver Pest Control
Rats can be a serious threat to your family’s well-being, but they can also be gotten rid of if you follow these steps. Get rid of rats at their source, clean up your garbage, set rat traps, store food properly, eliminate hiding places, seal up openings, keep your home dry and well ventilated, use predator odor to scare them away, and lastly, you need to get rid of rats by following these steps. If you are still encountering rats after a DIY approach, call Anver Pest Control for a safe and effective way to eradicate your infestation. No matter how big or small the infestation, we are here to tackle your pest problems!