How to Get Rid of Rats
How to get rid of rats is one of the most pressing questions we get in the pest control business. As a matter of fact, rats are a definite health risk to the community. In addition to the diseases they carry, these pets are extremely destructive. Their burrowing causes damage that makes buildings structurally unsound. Additionally, a tendency to gnaw electrical cables can start fires. Simply put, it just makes sense to rid your property of rats.
Signs of Rat Infestation
Rats leave telltale signs of activity. If you suspect a rat infestation in your home, look for the following indicators:
Droppings
Rat droppings are shiny black, pellet-shaped, the shape of an olive pit, and blunt at both ends. They quickly fade to a gray-white color.
Gnawing
In order to wear down their incisor teeth, rats are compelled to chew constantly. Check walls, ceilings, furniture, and books for scraped surfaces.
Grease marks
Made by the rat’s oily fur, this pest leaves grease marks by walls and entrance holes.
Nests
A rat’s nest looks like a loosely woven ball that is 4-6 inches in diameter.
Runways
Because they follow the same routes while foraging for food, rats leave 2-inch wide runways in the dirt or grass next to buildings.
Sounds
Finally, rats are nocturnal. Sounds of nighttime activity can be heard behind walls and cabinets are an indication of a rat problem.
Rats Can Squeeze Through Tight Spaces
Able to enter any opening larger than ½ inch in diameter, rats can enter your home through many openings, including:
- Spaces around pipes
- Gaps beneath doors
- Tears in screened doors or vents
- Crevices in window frames
As a result, it’s important to do a thorough search of your property, sealing any potential entry point to prevent rat infestations. Close these openings with sheet metal, hardware cloth, or wire mesh, because caulking will not work. Fill in burrows that are beneath the foundation with concrete.
How to Get Rid of Rats By Yourself
To rid your home of rats, there are several measures you can take. They include:
Sanitize the Perimeter of Your Home
Firstly, sanitizing your home is the most important way to get rid of rats. If you don’t eliminate their sources of food and water, rats will procreate faster than you can trap them. Therefore:
- Trim the vegetation that’s close to your home.
- Quickly dispose of grass clippings and tree trimmings.
- Pile lumber and wood at least 12 inches from the ground and away from your house.
- Store trash in cans with tight-fitting lids.
- Don’t leave pet food outdoors.
- Fix leaks from gutters and air conditioners.
- Cover swimming pools and hot tubs when not in use.
Set Traps to Get Rid of Rats
After taking the sanitation precautions outlined above, set traps. Traps have several advantages, including:
- They don’t involve handling pesticides
- There is immediate evidence of their success
- Quick and easy disposal before odor problems occur
To get rid of rats with traps, you can use snap traps, electronic traps, and cage traps. Rat traps should be baited with different types of food and placed along their regular runways. Always remember to keep these traps out of reach of small children and animals.
Get Rid of Rats with Hot Pepper Spray
Because rats have a very keen sense of smell, scents can be effective deterrents to this pest. In particular, hot spices repel rats. Therefore, by creating a mixture of 4 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper or chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of dish washing liquid in a spray bottle, you can drive rats from your home. The following are good points of entry to saturate with your spicy mix:
- Chimneys
- Attic windows
- Drainpipe openings
- Sewer drains
- Garbage pails
Ideally, you should spray these areas daily to get rid of rats.
Use Ultrasonic Devices to Get Rid of Rats
Electronic gadgets that broadcast sound waves above the range of human hearing, ultrasonic devices sometimes can get rid of rats. However, the success of this method is limited. That’s because sound waves can’t penetrate solid structures like walls. Therefore, an ultrasonic device may work well in a small space like a pantry, but we strongly suggest backup methods to get rid of rats from your entire living space.
Get Rid of Rats by Applying Rodenticides
Poisoned baits and fumigants designed for rodent control, rodenticides are an effective way to get rid of rats. However, it’s very important to take safety precautions when using this method of pest control. For instance, fumigants are highly toxic and should not be used in buildings occupied by humans, livestock, and pets. Similarly, registered pesticides require expert training for safe and effective application.
We Get Rid of Rats Quickly and Thoroughly
If you don’t want to deal with the trouble of sealing entry points, setting traps, and administering rodenticides, we don’t blame you. Given that rats can spread disease and destroy property in an incredibly short amount of time, hiring a pest control company like OMNIS makes total sense. Not only do we have the experience, tools, and techniques to safely get rid of rats from your premises, but we can also prevent further infestations. Get the peace of mind that comes from a pest-free environment; call OMNIS today.
Contact The Castle Pines Residential Pest Control Experts
We understand how to mitigate the downsides of living in nature — pests. Call now to schedule a free professional inspection to learn more about our services. You can reach one of our representatives by calling 720-583-4126 or submitting a contact form below.
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