Did you know that rats don’t just steal your food and chew up everything in your home, they also carry tons of bacteria and viruses? Just thinking about it gives you the chills!
Just the other day, a 22-inch rat was found in the UK—seriously! That monster chewed through pipes, electrical wires, and even made a nest behind someone’s boiler with a stash of bread!
So, if you want to completely get rid of these unwanted guests, you must learn a few effective extermination methods. This guide is to help you learn how to get rid of rats！
How to Get Rid of Rats
Why Are Rats So Dangerous?
Rats are more than just a nuisance—they’re destructive and carry disease.
- They contaminate your food: Rats poop and pee on food and food surfaces, which is disgusting and unsafe.
- They chew on anything: wires, wood, furniture, and even pipes. That can lead to fires or water leaks—super dangerous and expensive to fix.
- They spread disease: Rats carry all kinds of nasty bacteria and viruses, including plague and leptospirosis. Yikes!
That giant rat in the UK wasn’t just scary—it damaged a home’s water pipes, electrical wiring, chewed a hole in the floor, and even started a little rat nest with stolen bread. It is a full-blown invasion.
Even worse, Rats breed incredibly fast—one pair can lead to hundreds of new rats within a year.!
Early Warning Signs
Want to catch a rat problem before it gets out of hand? Here’s what to look for:
- Small droppings around your home or yard
- Chew marks on furniture, walls, or food packaging
- Greasy rub marks on walls or floors from their dirty fur
- Scratching or squeaking sounds at night
- Seeing a rat during the day (bad sign—they’re usually nocturnal!)
If you spot any of these signs, don’t wait. Rats breed fast, so early prevention is key.
How to Quickly and Effectively Get Rid of Rats in Your House
If rats have already found their way into your house, you need to get moving! So, how can you get rid of rats in your house fast? You can try traps, sticky boards, or live traps. Commercial rat poison is another option, but be super careful with it if you have kids or pets. If the problem is really bad, or you’ve tried many methods without success, it’s strongly recommended to call a professional pest control company.
For the walls, you need to figure out where they’re active and place traps or poison nearby. At the same time, make sure to seal all entry points in the walls! Sometimes, professionals might even suggest injecting repellent or foam into the wall cavities.
As for how to get rid of rats in the loft, you need to carefully check your loft for any entrances and patch up all the gaps. Place traps or poison up there and check them regularly. Also, cleaning up clutter in the loft is really important, as it gives rats fewer places to hide. The same goes for getting rid of rats in the attic—find and seal entry points in the ceiling, place traps or poison in the ceiling space, and be careful while you’re working.
How to Get Rid of Rats in the Garden and Effective Deterrent Methods
The garden is a perfect place for rats to find food and shelter. If you find rat droppings or burrows in your garden, it means the rats have already moved in!
So how can you get rid of rats in your garden? First and foremost, clearing clutter is key! Remove piles of wood, bricks, and other debris to give rats nowhere to hide. Keep the lawn short and shrubs trimmed to give them less hiding space. Also, be sure to store trash in covered bins to prevent food scraps from attracting rats. Placing outdoor traps and poison bait in the garden is also a good idea.
If you want to naturally repel rats from your garden without harming them, in addition to the methods mentioned above, you can also consider using a rat repellent. These products typically use ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves to disturb rats, making them uncomfortable and keeping them away from your garden. Try planting plants that rats dislike, such as mint, catnip, garlic, or sage; their scent may deter them.
Ongoing Prevention
Getting rid of rats isn’t a one-time job. Even after you’ve kicked them out, you need to stay vigilant and keep up regular prevention to stop them from returning.
Indoor Prevention Tips:
- Seal entry points: Use steel wool, metal plates, or cement to block any holes bigger than a coin
- Proper food storage: Keep all food (including pet food) in sealed containers
- Keep it clean: Regularly clean areas like the kitchen, basement, and storage rooms
Outdoor Prevention Tips:
- Trim plants regularly: No overgrown grass or bushes that provide hiding spots
- Manage garbage and compost: Use lidded bins and ensure compost bins are sealed properly
- Remove clutter: Clear out anything rats could use as shelter—like unused wood, equipment, or trash piles
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