Do you see small droppings on your furniture? Have you found several tears in your papers and fabrics around your home?
These are just a few of the tell-tale signs that your home is being infested by rodents.
Rats and mice don’t just cause damage to your property, but they can also contaminate food and carry diseases that can be harmful and alarming to health concerns of you and your family.
Rat populations increase very fast, That is why an immediate action to control rats is important!
So, If you are looking for the most proven methods on how to get rid of rat problem, then you’re in luck!
In this article, we’ve listed the 5 expert-proven methods to help you prevent or control rodent infestation!
Keep reading to know more!
Method 1: Detection
Detecting the source of your pest problem is key to stop an increase in rat population.
Rats are generally considered a nocturnal creature, which means that they’re more active during the night.
In the USA, Norway rats, roof rats, and packrats are the most common.
Most Common Rats You Can Encounter at Home
1. Norway rat
These rodents are called by various names, also known as brown or sewer rats, street rat or wharf rat.
Generally found in the basement or ground floor. This rodent can reach as long as 10 inches long.
2. Roof rat
Roof rats or black rats prefer to inhabit attics, upper stories, and dense vegetation. They can grow up to 10 to 12 inches in length.
3. Pack rat
These rats are also known as trade rats. They grew about 8 inches long.
Both roof rats and norway rats are classified as huge rodents, They have scaly hairless long tails, small round ears and short whiskers and blunt snouts.
How To Determine The Presence of Rat
On top of knowing where they look like and where they are located, here are rat signs that they may be lurking in your home:
- Spotting droppings around food or near a trash can
- Hearing noises at night (eg. thumping sounds from the attic)
- Piled up nesting materials in the corners of your house
- Wires and wood have been gnawed or chewed
- Seeing smudge marks on the walls
- Finding burrows on the yard or under your house
Method 2: Pest Control Exclusion
To stop rat infestation at the source, pest exclusion is an effective rodent control technique. Through this method, you can prevent rats and mice from invading your home.
Before you start doing these exclusion methods, it’s important to eliminate the food sources and shelter that can attract these rodents in your home.
Possible Access Points
Here are some possible access points you should keep an eye on:
1. Put a seal on all openings around your home. Sealing openings that are greater than ¼ inch will exclude mice and rats while sealing ½ inch will exclude just rats.
2. Seal utility lines and other access points that come into walls (eg. openings around air conditioning, drain pipes, and vents)
3. Check your basement for broken windows, warped doors, and unscreened vents which can become access points for the rats.
4. Inspect your roof and see if the shingles are tight and if the sheathing is complete.
5. Make sure all roof ventilators, screened vents, and wall vents are shut.
- Hardware cloth may be used to seal openings such as attic vents
- Metal flashing may be used to seal up openings around the gutters
- A copper mesh can be used around pipes and utility lines stuffing into the openings such as openings where pipes and electrical wires enter the foundation and siding (e.g., around outdoor faucets, receptacles, gas meters, clothes dryer vents, and telephone/cable TV wires.)
- A polyurethane curing foam is very handy to seal the entry points where rodents, bats, birds, squirrels, or insects may enter structures.
Method 3: Sanitizing Your Home
A pest, especially a rodent, thrives in dirty and unsanitary environments. To prevent them from coming to your home, it’s important to keep your surroundings clean.
Strict sanitation measures are an essential rodent-control technique. Here’s what you should do:
1. Regularly dispose of your trash, especially food waste
2. Keep your garden and backyards well-maintained, remove tree limbs and tree branches near your roof as it may serve as a bridge to rats.
3. Ensure that your garbage containers have a tightly-sealed cover
4. Store food properly
Method 4: Rodent Trapping and Baiting
The easiest and most inexpensive way to get rid of rats is to set traps and place rodent baits.
There are different kinds of rat traps, all of which are relatively cheap and easy to use:
- Snap traps are wooden or plastic traps that capture and kill rats. It’s one of the oldest forms of trapping, but still a very effective means of trapping a rat.
Only small quantities of soft Baits like cheese and peanut butter should be placed on the trigger as some rats can managed to avoid traps
- Live catch traps use the rodents’ natural tendency to investigate and wiggle into holes. In these traps, the rodent can get in but cannot get out.
- Glue traps are a popular option, but not as efficient as a snap or live trap. They can only capture small mice and rodents.
Baits can be used as a form of poison or in conjunction with traps. These are the most popular options:
- Baiting Traps. Dry Foods (eg. nuts, fruits, dog food or dried meats) are used as attractive bait to catch a rat. It is best to place these traps in the dark corners of the house.
Some rats are extra cautious and manage to avoid being caught by traps, that’s why some prefer using poison baits like Rodenticides to get rid of them.
However, Rodenticides are extremely dangerous and can be lethal even to other animals. It is best to use this with the supervision of a licensed pest control expert to prevent accidental poisoning of other domestic animals.
As a precautionary measure, do not place the trap where birds and non target animals may come in contact with.
Houses with a high rat population rate usually use poison baits and pesticide to kill rats and mice. After consuming a lethal dose, rats will be dead.
- Bait stations are enclosed equipment in which a rodenticide bait is placed. The station does not trap the rat, instead, when used properly and locked in place, the rat can enter the station to eat the bait.
It is important to always dispose dead rats appropriately! Use appropriate gears like gloves and masks when handling rat carcasses.
Method 5: Hiring an Exterminator
Not all pest problems can be solved like a DIY project.
If you suspect that you have a rat infestation at home, call your local exterminators to handle the problem for you!
They’re well-equipped and trained to exterminate the pests that are invading your home.
Your Trusted Rat Control and Pest Control Specialist in Prescott, Az!
Here at Patriot Pest & Termite Control, your safety and health are our top priority!
We provide trusted and expert professional exterminators to deliver the best services to effectively get rid of your rodent problems and other pests.
Call us today and have that peace of mind you deserve!
Think these methods would work for you? Let us know in the comments below!