How to Get Rid of a Rat Infestation
It is a big world with plenty of room for all creatures to coexist, but as humans expand across the land, we push animals out of their habitat. They are not a bother unless they cause damage to our property, and then we have to take action.
Rats are highly intelligent creatures who love companionship, living in large colonies with complex social groups. While this is a lovely existence and a testament to the close bonds they form with other rats, they are mischievous and can cause a great disturbance for humans. If you have a colony living near you and wreaking havoc, it must be dealt with quickly.
Not sure what to do about it? Follow these methods and watch for decreased rat activity. You should notice less of a presence and fewer signs that rats are around within a few weeks. If these methods fail to produce real results, you may need to contact a professional pest control company to handle your rat problem. They have all the tools and methods for effective pest removal. Once resolved, you can enjoy life without little critters invading your space.
This is how to get rid of a rat infestation.
1. Make Inspections
Rats are cautious creatures and are quick to stay out of sight, so you need to make a concerted effort to find out where they are. They tend to live in areas where they can hide, like walls, crawl spaces and attics, so this is a good place to start.
Look for traces of rats and try to seal up any entry points into their nesting areas. Other signs to look for are :
- Any gnawing on wood or other material
- Rat droppings
- Burrows in the dirt
- Tracks from feet and dragging tails
- Urine stains
- Rat nests are made from various soft material
- Packed down runways
- Squeezing, scratching, digging or gnawing
You can take the next step once you locate where the rats live and access your building.
2. Eliminate Food Sources
Rats come for shelter but also for food. While it is hard to eliminate places for them to make a nest, removing food sources creates a less desirable home for them.
Sanitation is key and should include;
- Keeping garbage containers tightly closed
- Rodent proofing your compost bins
- Keeping grass and weeds cut low around your home, sheds and other structures
- Clearing out your sink of dirty dishes every night
- Keeping dry food in air-tight containers
- Picking up fallen fruit and vegetables in the garden
By eliminating a rat’s food source, they will need to go elsewhere to get sustenance and may find a home closer to their new food source.
3. Close Entry Points
If rats can enter your home or other buildings, it is because of easy entry points. While inspecting, you probably identified easy-access areas which you should close immediately. Rats can squeeze through thumb-sized openings, so close any gap 1/2 inch or larger. This could be:
- Places where pipes and other utilities come into the home
- Openings around vents
- Missing roof shingles
- Chimney or flashing openings
- Broken windows
Once you have closed off all these areas, spray rat repellant in the vicinity so they know not to come and try to regain access.
4. Use Rat Traps
Unfortunately, sometimes, the only way to effectively get rid of rats is by trapping them. There are different types of traps, and they are designed to hold them or kill them immediately. These are the most common types:
Snap Traps
Snap traps are usable for mice and rats and are ones you have probably seen before. It works with a metal lever held under tension with a bait cup to hold food. Once a rat steps on the trigger plate, the level is released and quickly kills the rat.
Glue Traps
With a glue trap, the rat is lured onto a thick card with sticky adhesive, and once they step on it, they are stuck. The rat will not be able to get off and will die due to lack of food and water.
Electric Traps
This uses a chamber that a rat enters and is then administered a lethal shock. This kills the rat quickly, so it is considered more humane.
Live Catch Traps
If you would rather relocate the rat rather than end its life, there are live traps available. They work by catching them in a metal cage, plastic tube or other device with a trigger-operated door. Once caught, you can take the cage far away from your property and release the animal to live out its life.
The best bait for rat traps is peanut butter, oatmeal, bacon and marshmallows, as these are not toxic to other animals, pets or children.
