Are you looking for a way to get rid of rats in your home? Rats can be a significant problem and make life miserable.
In addition to being filthy and unpleasant to look at, they often carry diseases and bacterial infections that pose a health risk to your loved ones.
They can also be destructive – chewing through insulation, electrical wiring, and walls. Unfortunately not all rat removal techniques are created the same so you’ll want to consult an expert to determine what is best for your situation.
Also, you may not notice the sign you have a rat problem until there is a large infestation. Don’t worry though – it is possible to get rid of rats safely and effectively.
SafePro Pest Control has helped hundreds of people living around North Texas handle their rat infestation problem. In this blog post, we’re sharing how to get rid of rats in your home effectively.
Why Rat Removal is Important
Rats are unwelcome visitors. These rodents (in the wild) do not have a reputation for being warm and friendly so just the thought of sharing your space with them can be unsettling for homeowners.
One of the reasons rats cause panic is that they carry pathogens that transmit diseases to humans. These diseases can be transmitted through their droppings and urine, which can contaminate other dust particles. This means you may be exposed to pathogens even though you don’t see a rat.
Even if you have a soft spot for rats, you shouldn’t allow them in your home especially when you have kids and pets. Therefore, it’s important to know how to get rid of rats. Let’s look at the ways rats can cause problems in the house.
Rats spread diseases
Rats carry dangerous diseases that spread through dust, water, and other particles. This creates an unhealthy environment in the house. Rat droppings also leave an unpleasant smell in the house which makes it difficult for people to breathe.
They cause structural damage to the home
A rat’s incisor teeth grow around 5 inches every year. The process of wearing them down also makes their teeth sharp. They can chew all kinds of hard surfaces. Due to their nest-building, gnawing, and defecation, they can cause structural damage to your building.
Rats can chew almost anything
These little creatures can forage on almost anything. They create a mess in the house by eating up wood, papers, books, clothes, and other household items.
Additionally, they can damage metal or plastic pipes, and sometimes soft concrete. They also chew electrical wiring which could cause short circuits and fire outbreaks. On top of that, rats are known for getting into food storage easily.
Rats are prolific breeders
There is no mating season for rats. A female can give birth seven times a year and deliver up to eight pups in each litter. This means that if you don’t take active steps for rat removal, these rodents will spread almost everywhere in your house.
It is necessary to know how to get rid of rats in the house fast to promote a healthy environment in the home.
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How to Tell if You Have a Rat Infestation
Rats are most active during the night, so most people discover their presence by seeing signs of a rat infestation than the actual rat.
In these cases, you should learn how to identify the signs and traces of rats so you can take the necessary measures for rat removal.
Here are some signs that should alarm you that the little furry pest is active in your home.
Droppings and smears
Rats excrete about 40 dark, pellet-shaped droppings per day. It resembles dark grains of rice, about a quarter-inch long.
As they move, you may notice small droppings near food sources, under sinks, drawers or cupboards, and pathways.
Rats maintain established routes along the walls as they search for food. If you notice smears and smudges along your walls, then you might have a rat problem.
Foul smell and sounds
Rats give off a powerful smell. The smell is unavoidable when lots of creatures live, eat, breed, defecate, die, and decompose in different areas of your home. They also make loud squeaky and rustling sounds as they move throughout your home.
Footprints and tracks
Do you suspect a rat infestation? Take a look at the dusty corners of the home. Rats often leave their footprints on the places they travel.
If you suspect an area is being frequented by these little pests, sprinkle a fine layer of baking soda on the floor and check for footprints the next day.
Rub marks
Rats have poor eye sight, so they use established routes along walls to help with movement. Though they are relatively clean, mice carry grease in their fur and each surface they repeatedly brush against will be left with dirty rub marks.
Rat nests
Rats will use materials like shredded paper fabric, and plants to build their best in your home. If these are found, coupled with the signs above, then it’s time you start learning how to get rid of rats.
Gnaw marks
Rats will leave damage as they roam around your home. They may chew on your food storage, gnaw on furniture and electrical wiring, papers, nylon bags, and bite leftover food on the counter.
These gnaw marks are easily identifiable. Scan through your pantry to see if any debris on shelves or gnaw marks on lunch boxes.
We are often asked, “How can I tell if there are more rats in my house?” There is no way to know the number of rats living in your home. But, once rats make themselves comfortable in your home, they will breed.
The longer you wait, the more rats will increase in population. As they grow in size, you will start to notice more of the signs listed above. If their population grows too much, you might see actual rats in the daytime looking for food. When this happens, it’s time to hire a professional for rat removal.
If you prefer to inspect your property yourself, then you need to take precautions because you might get in contact with urine, feces, or even dead rats.
Wear rubber gloves as well as a face mask while inspecting. Some diseases can be transmitted from rodents to dust particles, which can be very harmful to humans. You will also need a flashlight to search dark places.
Steps on How to Get Rid of Rats
Mickey mouse is cute and cuddly, but his real-life has no business living with you. These rodents carry diseases and can cause damage to your home.
If you’ve ever spotted a mouse or rat in your house, you know how nerve-wracking it is to realize you have little creatures screening around.
Several simple tips can help you figure out how to get rid of rats. When you apply them, you can minimize the risk of a full infestation developing in your home.
Inspect your home to find entry points
Before you can start the process of rat removal, you need to conduct a full house inspection to find their entry points. You have to do a little detective work because putting traps randomly over your basement isn’t going to work.
Inside the house, look at the vent, appliances, drains, holes, and other potential access points. Try your best to determine where the mice are living and building nests, and then set your traps around those areas.
Seal the gaps
Rats do not need large holes and entry points to get inside your apartment. They can squeeze through any hole that you can stick only fingers through.
Check your home for any opening that size or larger, and seal any gaps in your interior or exterior walls.
Fill these gaps with wire wools, cement, or caulk to make sure they last for a long time. If you can’t identify any entry points, contact Safe Pro Pest for an expert analysis of your property. We service homes in the North Texas area.
Consider Mouse Traps
Since harsh poisons may not be safe around humans, trapping has been the most effective way to eliminate rats. It is a poison-free way of reducing rat infestation.
If you’re going to place traps by yourself, be sure to use plenty of them in highly active positions. Place them in vulnerable areas like along walls or behind trash cans.
You can choose from the following mouse traps:
- Snap traps: When used correctly, this quick-trigger system kills mice quickly, making it easier to wipe them out.
- Electric traps: These traps lure mice into the chamber before shocking them with electric shocks.
- Live traps: These traps catch, not kill. They have a chamber cage with a triggered door that won’t activate until you release the rodent.
However, a trap is only as effective as its bait. Use peanut butter, apples, and chocolate to lure them into the traps.
How to get rid of rats outside your home?
Even if you get rid of rats within your home, it won’t last long if there are still rats outside your home.
Rats dislike open spaces, so keep your garden trimmed, clean, and clutter-free. Trim your grass often, lock all storage sheds, remove piles of wood, and patch any holes in the exterior.
Finally, make sure rats don’t have access to food outside your home. Clear up fallen food, fruits, and vegetables from your garden.
Maintaining a Rat Free Home
The best strategy to get rid of rats is to keep these pests away from your home to start with. The best way to do this is to make your home uninviting and inhospitable to them.
To prevent rat issues be careful with how you store your food and leftovers. Keep food sealed in a tight container and clean up any crumbs.
Since rats need a water source, make sure you have no leaks in your water pipes or faucets. Cover any household waste where rats can get access to food. Also, keep your trash cans out of direct sunlight to decrease decomposition.
While you can’t exactly rat-proof your home, you can make your home less appealing by sealing holes, cracks gaps, and other potential entry points in walls, roof vents, and chimneys.
Tidy your home exterior by removing piles of debris, especially those around your home. Cut back tall trees and keep them away from your chimney and walls.
Another potential entrance is through your roof and missing crawlspace and attic vents. Use spray foams to fill small gaps and cover large holes with cloths, plywood, cement, or other materials.
If you have rats in your home, chances are rats are a neighborhood issue. You might not be the only one dealing with these rodents. Check in with your neighbors and form a community to check rat activity.
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When Should You Call a Rat Exterminator?
If you live in a city, the best thing is to have an inspection by a pest control expert at least once a year, even when you don’t notice any signs.
The expert will give you peace of mind and notice if you are in danger of having a rat problem. They’ll point out flaws in your property that should be fixed.
Rats are dangerous, so it is best not to take chances when dealing with them. They harbor disease, cause destruction to your house, and contaminate your food.
If you have trouble dealing with rats and other pests, you can search for “rat exterminator near me.” If you are in the North Texas area, SafePro Pest is your best bet.
SafePro uses eco-friendly methods to control the rat population in residential and commercial buildings around North Texas.
We are a family-owned and operated extermination company with the best trained and experienced technicians. To keep your home and family safe from permits, rats, and other rodents, we offer sniper-precise solutions that will allow you to reclaim your space completely.
Ready to learn more about our rat control services? Contact our team today to see how we can help you.