There is nothing as embarrassing as a rat cascading across the living room when you’re having a good time with friends and family. These little critters are not only unpleasant to look at, but they cause lots of damage and pose a health risk. The worst thing is that they only manifest (show themselves) when there is a large infestation. Once you notice the activity it important o find out how to get rid of Rats because they are there to stay and likely a larger population than you want to know.

As a homeowner, it is crucial that you understand how to prevent, control, and get rid of these rodents before they become a full-blown menace. However, you can’t get rid of rats if you don’t understand what brings them to your house, the signs that indicate their presence, and the kind of damage they can cause. In this write-up, we take a comprehensive coverage of all these things and highlight some ways to eliminate rats. 

Things that Attract Rats to Your Home

Like other mammals, rats need to maintain a warm body temperature to survive. So, the first thing that brings rats to your residence is shelter. Although these pesky rodents are active throughout the year, they particularly like to find warmth during winter. If your house is warm and has lots of places to hide, it is ideal for rats.   Your home has everything a rat needs to survive.  Also, the better the environment the longer a rats lifespan.  This means your home is allowing them to thrive and increase populations sometimes on an exponential basis.

Rats may also camp in your house if food is readily available. If you toss your dirty utensils in the sinks, leave grains and other products uncovered, or fail to take your trash out when retiring to bed, you may be creating a rat-friendly environment. Additionally, rats also drink lots of water. So, unclosed tanks, containers, and trash cans may be the quenching areas for these rodents. 

The surrounding of your house may also contribute to rats finding their way into your home. Woodpiles, shrubs, leaf piles, and bushes can provide a shelter where rats can hide before entering your house.  

Why It’s Essential to Exterminate Rats from Your Home

Although some homeowners don’t think that rat infestation is a serious issue, these rodents can have severe implications when they set camp inside your home. Here is why you should exterminate them as soon as possible include:

• They are Disease Carrying Creatures

Having these rodents in your house puts you at risk of contracting rodent-borne diseases such as Hepatitis E, Maurine Typhus, Ratbite Fever, and Trichinosis. 

•   They Gnaw on Everything and Anything

Besides destroying grains and other edible products, rats sharpen their teeth by chewing various items in your house, including electrical insulation, electrical wires, furniture, papers, and even containers. A rat’s teeth never stop growing, so chewing and knawing also acts as a way for them to control their teeth’ growth.

•   Droppings, Urine & Smears

Rats can also produce foul-smelling urine and leave droppings as they move around your house. The urine and droppings are a health hazard since they may transmit diseases. Rats also leave grease-like smears and smudges as they trudge along the walls and ceilings. They use the urine and grease scent to travel safe passages as they have minimal eyesight. This dirty look impacts the aesthetics and also the value of your home. 

•   Rats are Disrespectful

Rats are non-rent paying tenants from hell! They won’t ask for permission to do anything. They stay in the loft, defecate on the kitchen counter or urinate all over your curtains. They can also nibble through walls and ventilation, compromising your home’s quality. 

How To Get Rid Of Rats – Here’s 7 Ways Exterminate Rats from Your Home?

•   Use Natural Rat Repellents

The easiest way to make your home a rat-free sanctuary is to place rat-repellents in various positions. Rats tend to avoid and stay away from multiple items. Some of the things you can use to drive these creatures away include bay leaf, ammonia, castor oil, peppermint oil, instant mashed potatoes, and baby powder, among others.

•   Snap Traps

Snap traps are considered the oldest and least expensive method of killing rats. The traditional snap traps featured a wooden bar that anchored a spring that snaped once a rat stepped on the trigger. Newer plastic and steel traps come with sharp jaws that shut once the rat steps on the trigger. Homeowners should make sure that they place this trap away from pets and kids to avoid any injuries. 

•   Live Traps

Live rat traps are a more humane way of getting rid of rats. Essentially, this type of trap comes with a door that swings open when a rat walks over the trigger plate. It then drops into a cage where they can’t get out. There are many types of live traps, and some can be made right at home. 

•   Glue Traps

These sticky traps are made of a wooden or plastic bar covered with an adhesive that traps a rat when it tries to walk over it. This trap is placed in areas where rats frequent most, such as the basement, attics, and pantry. 

•   Bait Stations

Baits also make a great way of controlling and getting rid of rodents. Bait stations combine bait and a rodenticide that gets rid of rodents by killing them. Homeowners use lures such as food to attract the rodents. Once they ingest the food, they consume poison that kills them later. It’s necessary to understand what types of materials and where these should be placed. Just because a homeowner can buy a product from a big box store or online doesn’t mean it’s a safe or even effective product. This is especially true for homeowners with children and pets. Some things are better left to the pros.

•   Electric/Electronic Traps

Electric Traps work like live traps in the sense that they use baits to attract the rats. Once a rat gets inside the bait area, the trap sends a lethal electric shock that kills the rodent. 

•   Seek Professional Help

Since rats are adaptable critters, they can learn all your tricks and traps you plan on using. This trait means that regardless of the technique you use to try and catch them, they’ll escape unharmed. When you find yourself in such as situation, the last option is to call a professional exterminator to help you eliminate these creatures. With their years of experience and expertise, professional exterminators will help you get rid of rats once and for all. 

How to Get Rid Of Rats By Rat-proofing Your House

You might do everything to get rid of rats in your house, but if you don’t figure out how you can keep the rats away, they’ll keep coming back. Here is how you can keep rats away:

• Clear the bushes and prune all trees that extend towards your house
• Block access for rats by laying a patio or adding a row of paving stones next to the wall of your home.
• Store grains and other foods in sealed containers
• Seal all holes in the interior and exterior walls to limit rat access to your home
• Get rid of all leaves and rotting wood from your compound
• Clean all your utensils after eating and empty the trash before going to bed 

If you believe you are having issues with rats or need more information on how to get rid of rats, give your EnviroPest rat specialists a call, and we can help you navigate through the process.