The sight of a rat scurrying through your floor can be quite an alarming experience, so it’s understandable that your first reaction would be to catch or trap it on your own. However, due to the diseases which rats carry and the damages they can cause, it is recommended that you enlist the help of wildlife professionals that understand how to catch a rat in the house.
3 DIY Rat Catching Tips
While you wait for the experts to show up, here are a few things you can try to rid your house of rats, as well as a few tips to keep them out in the first place.
- Clean up after yourself. Rats are attracted to easily accessible food sources. Even a few crumbs on the ground or countertops can send rats scurrying your way. Sweep and vacuum your kitchen and dining room frequently, and limit household eating to only those two rooms.
- Replace cardboard storage with plastic. Rats can chew through just about anything, so it is in your best interest to make it as difficult as possible for them to get to your food supply. To limit contamination, replace snack and cereal boxes in your pantry with plastic containers, and do the same in your attic as rats often like to nest in storage boxes.
- Invest in rat traps and deterrents. It never hurts to have an unused rat trap on hand in the event of an infestation, but you must be careful with them. Rats are cautious, clever, and agile creatures, so, more often than not, rat traps are triggered by humans attempting to set them. Furthermore, scented deterrents and poisons can be costly and detrimental to your health if used excessively and sporadically.
Dangers of DIY Rat Removal
You may feel inclined to remove a rat from your home on your own, but there are many risks involved with attempting DIY rat removal. Rats carry a variety of diseases that are harmful to humans and pets. Diseases that can be contracted from a rat’s bites and contamination include:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Rat-bite Fever
- Leptospirosis
At the end of the day, attempting to remove a rat without expert assistance only serves as a temporary solution. While it may be tempting to try these DIY methods to catch a loose rat in your home, ultimately it is best to rely on professional rat trappers who have the training and equipment to handle a rat infestation quickly and safely.
Rely on Wildlife Experts Who Know How to Catch a Rat
The experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers are experienced and equipped to conduct effective and safe rat removal services in the Central Florida area to ensure that your home is free of pests and any potential damage.
Licensed and trained, our team of professionals takes a humane approach when removing wild animals from commercial and residential properties, placing a high priority on the welfare of animals. For a free wildlife removal estimate, call us today at 352-267-0546 and schedule your inspection.