The one thing worse than having a mice problem is having a rat problem. Rats are bigger than mice and can be tough to catch. However, if strategically prepared, you can catch these rodents and prevent them from making an appearance on your property again. To help guide you, here are the basics of rat control.
- How to Prevent – As winter approaches, you should be preparing your home for rodents trying to make their way in. You can rodent-proof your home by inspecting your home for access points and blocking them, keep garbage covered and avoid storing in garages or sheds, avoid bird feeders that leave food on the ground, and feed your pets during the day and remove their food at night.
- How to Catch Them – If you are currently facing a rat infestation in your home, there are a few steps to take to remove them. Snap traps are highly effective when implementing rat control – strategically place them out of reach of pets and children. You’ll want to avoid using poison – even though it is effective, the rats could die inside your walls or attic and cause a smelly dead rat inside your home. Additionally, bait your traps with peanut butter or other food you think they’ve tasted in your home.
- Address the Exterior of Your Home – Rat control doesn’t stop at the inside of your home. If you notice rats outside of your home, specifically around the exterior walls, try to address them immediately. Identify the points of entry that they could gain access to your home and set traps accordingly. Doing this will prevent rats from infesting your home.
We hope these tips will help you prevent and control rats. If you have any questions regarding rat control and the services we provide, please contact us at Castle Exterminators today.