Nobody wants a rat infestation in their home. Unfortunately, once they’ve made their way into your property, they will chew their way through anything they can find, leaving a trail of damage and droppings wherever they go.
Rats are also known carriers of diseases, some potentially life-threatening, placing you and your loved ones at risk. Because of the damage they cause, the risks they carry and the rates at which they breed, it’s vital to deal with a rat infestation as quickly as possible.
To help you do this, we’ve put together a list of signs that will aid you in identifying the problem, as well as the most effective rat control methods to get rid of the infestation.
Signs you have a rat infestation
The first challenge in dealing with any pest problem is correctly identifying the type of pest you’re dealing with. Fortunately, rats have several telltale signs that are dead giveaways to their presence in your home. If you suspect a rat infestation, then look out for the following:
Noises
Many homeowners discover they have a rat problem in their home via scratching sounds. Rats are typically scared of humans and are most active at night, so when you get into bed, make sure to listen out for tiny footsteps or scratching noises throughout your home.
Droppings
Rat droppings are easily identifiable; small, dark brown and cylindrical. Take a good look around secluded areas of your home, like cupboards, around pipes, round the back of appliances, in the attic etc., for such droppings.
Please note rat droppings may contain diseases, so please wear a face covering and wash your hands and surrounding areas thoroughly with a disinfectant.
Smell
As well as droppings, rats will also urinate throughout your home. As it dries, the urine will develop a strong, unmistakable scent that you’re sure to recognise.
Teeth Marks
Since their front incisors never stop growing, rats spend most of their time nibbling away to grind down their teeth. So check your furniture to small teeth marks, particularly anything made of wood.
Rats will also chew through storage containers to get to a food source, and they have been known to chew through electrical wiring – resulting in house fires!
Methods for controlling rat infestations
Now you know the signs to look out for, it’s time to look at getting rid of the infestation before the real damage occurs. Here are our recommendations for methods to get rid of rats in your home:
Rodenticides
Poisons and rodenticides are hands down the most effective way of controlling a rat infestation. However, it’s important to note that they are highly toxic, and their misuse can lead to serious harm.
To prevent any injuries or damage, we recommend placing the rodenticides in a rat bait box; the safest way to use poisons at home. Rat bait stations can hold rodenticides in various forms, whether grains, blocks or sachets.
By placing the poison inside a bait box, you are preventing access to everything except rats – meaning you, your loved ones, and your pets never come into contact with it. They can be placed anywhere around the home or outside for maximum coverage and fast results.
Traps
Rat traps are extremely common, and they can be highly effective – if used correctly. However, if you don’t understand how they work or you misuse them, they could cause more problems!
For the traps to work, you must use the correct baits. Remember, rats are more intelligent than you might think, and they know when something new is around. They are neophobic and fear new things, so it might take a while for them to feel comfortable enough around the trap to even try and take the bait.
Rat traps take a while to work, which is why they aren’t the best control method available. In the time that it takes for the rats to become accustomed to the new addition, they could have multiplied in numbers!
If you use traps, make sure to check them regularly as you don’t want a decaying rat lying around and producing a horrid stench.
Pest Control Professionals
While you might want to tackle the problem yourself, pest control professionals are on hand to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Many find solutions with DIY rat control, but pest controllers are the experts; they have the knowledge and the specialist equipment to deal with rat infestations properly.
However you decide to deal with your rat infestation, make sure you do it quickly!
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