Rats are a very destructive pest and left unchecked, a rat infestation can cause significant amounts of damage to homes and businesses. We firmly believe that prevention is better than cure when it comes to pest control, so in this post, we'll give you some tips on how to deter rats.
Signs of rats
There are a lot of physical signs of rat infestations, but the most common are:
- Rat droppings (although these can be easily confused with mouse droppings)
- Gnaw marks
- Footprints
- Noises
Key tips for the prevention of a rat infestation/rat control
The process of deterring rats and mice usually depends on how comprehensive you need to be, and how much you believe you're at risk of a rat problem. We'll start with the simple measures that can be taken:
Remove food sources
One of the main things that attracts rats to a property is easily accessible food sources. That's why restaurants and other food establishments have to implement stringent prevention measures and work with professionals to create plans that protect them against rats and other rodents.
So, to deter rats from your house or business, make it a priority to ensure food sources are packed away and are not easily accessible to rats. This doesn't just apply to human food - pet food can also attract rats and mice.
Close any potential entry points
This can be a large job if you have a large property, but finding any potential ways for rats to enter your home or business and sealing them is a strong way of ensuring that you're protected from a potential infestation.
Use rat traps
Rat traps are a more aggressive measure, but used correctly they can be an effective way of deterring or preventing infestations of rodents. Many people associate the term "rat traps" with a spring loaded design, but there are a number of alternative types of traps such as glue traps that can be used for rat control in both a house and a professional setting.
Introduce natural predators
When many people consider a natural predator of a rat, it is typically a cat. Whilst this is a good choice if you opt for this method, you could also introduce other animals such as dogs (although this is usually limited to breeds such as dachshund, German Pinscher, and miniature Schnauzer) or weasels.
Use rat poison
Usage of rat poison is another more extreme method of rodent control. Whilst this can be very effective, it's important that this type of measure is handled by a professional pest control service due to the risks that come with poisonous substances.
Rat proof bird feeders
Bird feeders are a common target for rats as they're an easily accessible food source. Depending on your appetite for risk of an infestation, we'd either recommend not using bird feeders at all, or using things like baffles to protect your feeders from rats and other rodents or wildlife.
Secure chicken coops
If you keep chickens in your garden, we'd also recommend regularly checking and securing your chicken coop. Any gaps could provide a potential entry point for rats which could then lead to them stealing food or even spreading disease such as hantavirus.
How to keep rats away - home or business
As we've said, we're long-term believers in the power and efficiency of preventon when it comes to pest control. Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner, we can create integrated pest management plans with detailed steps that help to keep rats (and other rodents) at bay.
If you're worried about the risk of infestation or you're currently struggling with an infestation then get in touch with us today.
