How to get rid of rats in the home, according to the experts
If you have noticed signs such as droppings, rub marks, scratching noises, holes, nests, and footprints, you might be looking for ways to get rid of rats in your home.
There are a number of reasons to remove these unwelcome visitors as safely and as swiftly as you can.
Not only can they cause damage to your home but they can also often carry disease and bacterial infections.
So, if you think these (mostly) nocturnal creatures have found their way into your home, whether you've heard the noises their paws make as they travel (especially if you have wooden floor or if they are scurrying along your loft), we asked the experts to find out the most effective ways to get rid of them.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know...
How can you recognise the signs of a rat infestation?
"Rats are always in search of warm, dry harbourages and new food sources, particularly during periods of inclement weather. Rodents are nocturnal and can be very difficult to spot in the daytime," David Cross, Head of Technical Training Academy at Rentokil Pest Control tells Country Living.
David says there are some number of tell-tale signs that can indicate a rat infestation. These include...
1. Smell and sound
"Rats have a very strong ammonia smell. On top of this they are often very noisy, making audible scrabbling noises as they move around the home."
2. Droppings
"Rats excrete about 40 dark, pellet-shaped droppings per day, which are up to 14mm long. These can be found near any harbourages or entry points."
3. Smears
"Rodents use established routes along walls due to their poor eyesight. You may notice grease marks where rodents brush up against walls and surfaces."
4. Footprints
"Rats can leave foot and tail marks in dusty, less-used areas of your premises. Shining a strong torch at a low angle should reveal tracks clearly. To establish if an infestation is active, sprinkle fine flour or talc along a small stretch of floor near the footprints and check for fresh tracks the next day."
5. Damage
"Rodents can chew through electrical cables, which is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of an infestation as it causes a fire hazard, while also being very difficult to spot. Gnaw marks, shredded paper and damage to storage containers are also common signs of rodent activity."
How can you keep rats out of your home?
"There are some simple things you can do to help discourage rats from moving in and around your home, stopping an infestation before it occurs," Dee Ward-Thompson, Technical Manager at British Pest Control Association (BPCA) tells Country Living.
Dee says some of the ways to keep rats out of the home include:
1. Keeping bins closed
"Cover any household waste where rats can get access to it. Keep your bin lids closed. Try and keep your bins out of direct sunlight to help reduce the smells and decrease the rate of decomposition pests are attracted too. Regularly clean out your containers also."
2. Be careful when feeding birds
"Rats aren’t picky eaters. Remember if you’re feeding birds or other wildlife in your garden, this will encourage rats too. If you feed garden birds, use a feeder basket. Don’t put out too much food at once."
3. Check entry points
"Check for entry points in and around your home and outbuildings. Seal gaps around pipes and under sheds. Even small holes can create easy access for pests. Rats can squeeze through any space you can fit a thumb through.
How to keep rats out of the garden
Keeping rats out of the garden can be a tricky business, especially since they are nocturnal and can be difficult to spot. However, if you see tracks along your walls or fences, cylindrical droppings, or gnaws in any woodwork, then it can be safe to assume rats are occupying your back yard. In this case, the tactics are much the same as for keeping them out of the house.
Dee Ward-Thompson also notes some of the ways to keep rats out of the garden:
1. Seal any gaps
Just like in the home, to help prevent rats entering the garden in the first place, you should check for small holes in fences, walls, and sheds. By securing your garden's border, unwanted pests should be kept at bay. Blocking any gaps in decking is also extremely important as garden decking provides ideal protection to rodents.
2. Create space for predators
Pets like dogs and cats can deter rats from the garden. Foxes are also a great deterrent, so it would be a good idea to prioritise creating a space for these neighbourhood creatures in your garden. If rats know they are in danger, they will be less likely to stay.
3. Keep your garden clean
Keep on top of your lawn by mowing the grass regularly. This will provide less cover for rodents, helping to ward them off returning. Similarly, removing rubbish and organising previously cluttered areas will eliminate any other sheltered areas they may seek out, and will help you easily spot any rats in the future. Dee agrees as "cleaning up debris and woodpiles limits potential nesting sites for rats."
4. Keep on top of your compost
If you have a compost heap, it is important to try and make it as unappealing to rats as possible. This means refraining from adding any food waste to the heap and keeping it moist through regular watering.
5. Stop feeding wild birds and animals
Although feeding birds, hedgehogs, and other garden wildlife can be great for both you and the natural community, this food can attract rats too as they aren't picky!
If all else fails, store-bought rat traps and poisons are always an option, as well as calling for official pest control, but please always read the label of more harmful or toxic pest prevention products.
What scent will keep rats away?
Rats don't like the smell of peppermint, so placing peppermint oil on cotton wool balls in corners of your home will help to keep them away. Replace this every few days to ensure they keep their distance.
What do rats hate the most?
Alongside peppermint, they also strongly dislike the smell of garlic and other essential oils such as rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender that have strong botanical scents.
What are the best DIY methods of removal?
If you're looking for ways to easily remove the rodents yourself, there are some simple cost-effective ways you can try. These include...
Create a 'bait station' to trap the rat (without harming it) and then release it safely away from your home. You can use foods such as dried fruits, nuts or even bacon to attract the rats.
Use a traditional rat trap. These can be purchased in local hardware stores.
Place peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves around the home to keep them away.
Sprinkle crushed pepper, or spray a pepper spray, near openings and holes.
Will rats leave on their own?
Unfortunately, the experts agree that rats probably won’t leave of their own accord. This is because once they’ve settled in and found a reliable food source or shelter, they’re likely to stick around.
“Rats are opportunistic, and once they figure out they’ve got access to warmth, food, or nesting materials, they’re tough to get rid of without intervention,” says Nick Pulsonetti, Director of Business and Pest Expert at Excel Pest Services.
“I’d suggest homeowners focus on prevention. It’s surprising how small an opening rats need to squeeze through,” he continues. Sometimes, even if you eliminate their access to food and shelter and make your home far less appealing to them, you may still need to enlist professional pest control to keep them away for good.
What harm can rodents cause?
Sam Jenkinson, Tiger’s Garden Building Expert, explains: “As well as causing potential health hazards, rodents can cause some serious damage and are known to damage parts of your home and garden building which can be expensive to fix.”
From chewing through wires and cables, which at the very least could stop something from working properly, all the way through to it creating a fire risk, they can even gnaw through insulation, drywall and PVC pipes, leading to water damage and costly repairs.
“Rats can also gnaw on wooden structures such as doors, floorboards and garden sheds, which can weaken structural components. They can also ruin your furniture, creating holes as they create a nest within your home,” Sam reveals.
“Beyond the structural risks, rats are known carriers of various diseases, such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and hantavirus,” Nick warns. So, if they happen to come into contact with surfaces, utensils or food, it could put your entire household at risk of illness. If you happen to see any signs of a possible rat problem, whether that be gnaw marks, droppings or strange noises in your attic or walls, you’ll want to take action immediately to reduce these risks.
When should you call an exterminator?
"If it's too late and you’ve already got an established infestation, then you might need some professional help," Dee says.
"While you can pick up rat poison (rodenticide) from a DIY store, amateur rat control can be ineffective and sometimes dangerous. Always read the label on any rat bait you purchase and make sure it cannot be accessed by wildlife, family pets or children."
"Many areas in the UK now have rats that are resistant to some poisons," she adds. "Pest management professionals have access to different products not on sale to the general public and can manage poison-resistant rats. They’ll also be able to protect other non-target species and give you some advice on how to stop rats from re-infesting your property."
Remember: Failed DIY treatments can actually make infestations worse, so always use a trained, insured and audited pest management company.
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