Effective Measures To Eliminate A Rat Problem
If you live or work in a building where you have noticed signs that rats are present, it is likely you want to take action to remove these pests for good. There are several tactics that work well at eliminating a rat problem.
Determine The Point Of Entry
In order to keep rats out of a structure, it is necessary to find out where they are getting inside. Do a complete check of the exterior of the building for possible entryways. Look for cracks or holes in siding, crevices around windows and doorways, and broken panes of glass. If any of these are found, they can be repaired to keep new rodents from finding their way inside the structure.
Remove All Food And Water Sources
A rat that does not have food and water available will move on to another location in search of them. If you have pets, take up their food dishes after feeding times are completed. Make sure to keep food wrapped well and place it inside a refrigerator or pantry where it is less likely to be smelled by rodents. Eliminate crumbs from carpets and floors by vacuuming floor surfaces frequently and completely. Outdoors, remove or cover water sources, including birdbaths, ponds, or fountains.
Set Traps And Check Them Often
Rats require large snapping traps to kill them. Place these in areas out of the way of foot traffic in shaded areas where rodents are anticipated to lurk. Rats tend to use the perimeters of rooms, along walls. For this reason, corners make great hiding areas for traps. Be sure to check on rat traps several times a day so any carcasses can be disposed of promptly. Always use disposable gloves when removing deceased rats from traps as they are known to carry diseases. Alternate options to spring traps are rat poison or glue traps. Keep all rat traps or kill items out of the reach of children or pets.
Contact Reliable Pest Control Services
If you do not wish to deal with messy traps or use pesticides on your own, contact a company that offers rat control to do these jobs for you. A professional service will check your structure for signs of a rodent problem and track down the areas where they are nesting. They use a mix of chemical agents and traditional tools to kill mice. You may need to leave the structure temporarily if a chemical is to be used to eliminate rats.