Most homeowners would agree that rats are such pests. They would steal your food, squeak and run around in the attic at night, chew on wires, leave their droppings, and the list goes on. As much as possible, we try to keep them away from our houses, but they’re persistent and would keep on coming back. Because of this, it is very important for you to learn about ways to get rid of rats in your home.
More than the damage and diseases they bring, rats are simply disgusting. Imagine having guests over and a rat comes scurrying by the kitchen or the living area. That would be very embarrassing. And just think about the trauma if these rats take over your kitchen or your attic and it would just be difficult to deal with all of them at the same time! So at the very sight of a rat in your home, better find ways to get rid of them right away. Here are some tips that might just help you out.
1. Set up a cage rat trap.
These tiny cages that can serve as a rat trap are one of the most effective ways of catching them. Leave some peanut butter, a slice of fruit or some meat as bait. It is most ideal to use the kind of food the rats in your home end up stealing all the time. When in doubt, choose food that has a more distinctive scent so that the rat would be attracted to it.
2. Leave glue traps in places where these rats would most likely pass by.
There are so many kinds of glue traps available on the market today. There are paper glue traps and others made with heavier materials. Those paper glue traps are good for smaller rats and tiny mice. If you spot a larger rat in your home, make sure you get a stronger kind of glue trap so the rat won’t escape too easily.
3. Keep your pet dog or cat indoors.
These rats would stay away when they know you have a pet guarding your home. Keep your dog or cat indoors. If they spot a rat, they’ll surely know what to do.
4. Clean your home thoroughly.
Rats like dirty places. Keep them out by making sure your home is clean at all times. Even these traps wouldn’t be enough to get rid of rats completely if your home is still messy. They’ll surely find places to hide. Schedule a general cleaning session in your home and get rid of everything that may attract rats.
5. Don’t leave food unattended and keep garbage outdoors.
Never forget to take the garbage out at night. Leftover food must be covered or placed inside the refrigerator or storage cabinet that’s shut tight. Rats are always on the hunt for food, so when you leave some out in the open, they will most likely be attracted to it.
6. Consider using rat poison very carefully.
There are also rat poisons readily available on the market, but be very careful when using these. First of all, these rat poisons can be poisonous to your pets and to humans, too. Second, if a rat is poisoned and doesn’t die instantly, it might breathe its last breath beneath walls or above the ceiling. You’d only know you already killed the rat when you smell very foul odor all over your house. And in some cases, walls or ceilings may have to break open just to find the dead rat.
7. Call for professional rat removal services.
The most recommended way to get rid of rats is by calling animal removal services. These professionals know how to do it the proper way and have the proper tools needed to do it. Furthermore, you won’t have to handle these dirty critters on your own, whether you catch them dead or alive.
Animal Wildlife Trappers offers rat removal services in Orlando and surrounding areas including Maitland, Longwood, Winter Park, Deltona and more. We trap and get rid of critters the most humane way possible, and do our best in offering recommendations to our clients to prevent these pests from coming back. For a free estimate and to set an appointment with our team of experts, call us at 352-267-0546.