Rats. You hate them, I hate them, and the city of New York hates them. But what can we do about this rodent plague? Rat infestation is a real problem that can lead to major health risks for you and your family.
Rats are carriers of diseases like hantavirus and salmonella, so even if you don’t see these creatures scurrying around your house or worse yet, inside it! it’s important that we prevent rats from coming in contact with our food supplies.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Rats can cause significant damage to cars, homes, and commercial buildings. |
| Rat infestations can be prevented by eliminating food sources, rat-proofing containers, and maintaining cleanliness. |
| Effective rat control methods include using traps, poisons, or professional pest control services. |
| Rat prevention requires vigilance and regular inspection of potential entry and exit points. |
| Bathing rats is a good way to keep them clean and healthy. |
In this article, we’ll show you how to keep those pesky rodents from taking up residence in your home by providing tips on preventing their access and clearing out any existing ones:
Get a Cat
If you are worried about rats and other rodents, the best way to keep them away is with a cat. Cats are natural hunters and will take out any rats they see. They can also be trained to help you catch them if they don’t catch on their own.
A cat is an effective deterrent against rats because they don’t like being around cats and won’t come around if there’s one nearby.
The last thing you want is for rats to chew through your vehicle’s wires and cause damage that can be both costly and dangerous. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent this from happening. Check out our tips on how to keep rats out of your car to ensure that your vehicle stays free of these pesky rodents.
Be Careful With Food Storage
Rats and mice are habitual, so they will look for food in the same place every time. This means that you should make sure that your trash cans are always sealed tightly, as well as all of your other sources of food storage.
If you have pets, be sure to keep their food bowls away from places where rats could get them (such as under tables).
You may also want to consider keeping your pet’s food dish in the refrigerator or pantry; this will help prevent pests like rats from accessing it.
| Storage Method | Rat Accessibility |
|---|---|
| Secure, heavy-duty plastic or metal containers with airtight lids | Low Accessibility |
| Metal bins with tight-fitting lids | Low Accessibility |
| Traditional wood, plastic or wire bins with no lids | Moderate Accessibility |
| Cardboard boxes or paper bags | High Accessibility |
Don’t Feed Your Pets Outside
One of the best ways to keep rats away is to not feed your pets outside. Feeding your pet outside can attract rats, as well as other pests that want to steal food from your pet. If you must feed your pet outside, make sure you follow these recommendations:
- Feed them inside
- Keep them inside at night
- Keep their food in a sealed container (no garbage cans!)
Keep Your Property Clean
Remove all food sources. Rats eat almost anything, including pet food, garbage and spoiled food. They also love to chew on wires, so make sure they are properly covered when you store them in the garage or basement.
Keep trash cans covered. If a rat can smell your trashcan through the lid of the trashcan, then it will be able to get inside and feast on whatever is inside—which could include your expensive electronics that were left out in the open while you were sleeping!
Keep pet food inside. Rats have been known to enter houses through pet doors if they smell cat food or dog food being eaten by pets outside of their home—this makes rats feel welcome enough to come into your house and steal some for themselves!
Clean up any spilled foods as soon as possible since this will attract rodents who are looking for an easy meal; also make sure you sweep away crumbs from counters after meals (or before bedtime) since this is another place where rodents might come looking around for something tasty!
If you’ve experienced the frustration of rats chewing through your car wires, you’re not alone. However, there are measures you can take to put an end to this problem. Our article on stopping rats from chewing on your car wires provides effective solutions that can help you avoid costly repairs to your car.
Trim Your Bushes
Bushes and hedges provide a great hiding place for rats, so it’s important to trim them back as far as you can. This will make your garden or yard less appealing to the rats and makes it easier for you to see them if they do come into your garden, which will help you deal with them more quickly.
Use a hedge trimmer or pruner to cut back the bushes as far as possible without making a mess of things.
If the branches are too thick or the bush is too tall, cut them one at a time rather than trying to take down all of those thick branches at once; this way you can be sure that none are left behind.
Rats can wreak havoc on your car’s engine and wiring system. The good news is that there are ways to prevent infestations before they occur. For some of the best strategies on keeping rats at bay, read up on our proven rat prevention methods for cars.
Get Rid of Their Water Supply
Rats are expert swimmers. They like to cool off in puddles and pools of water, so they can easily swim through drains.
If you see any standing water on your property, it’s important to get rid of it immediately. Make sure there are no leaks in your plumbing or drains, or anywhere else that could create a pool of water near your home.
Remove anything that attracts them (including bird feeders)! Rats love seeds and nuts—and bird feeders are a great place for them to find these things.
Remove any bird feeders from your property if possible; otherwise, put them up high enough that rats won’t be able to reach them easily (check out our article on how high should you hang your bird feeder?).
| Water Source | Rat Accessibility |
|---|---|
| Pet water bowls or containers | High Accessibility |
| Outdoor birdbaths | High Accessibility |
| Leaky pipes or fixtures | High Accessibility |
| Standing water in gutters, drains or puddles | High Accessibility |
| Sealed or covered swimming pools | Low Accessibility |
Place Peppermint Plants Around The House
Plant peppermint plants around the house. Peppermint is a natural deterrent for rats as they don’t like the smell and taste of it. Peppermint can be planted inside or outside, and it grows easily in pots or directly in your garden soil.
You can grow peppermint from seed by simply placing them in moist soil and keeping them moist until they germinate, which usually takes only a few days.
Rats can cause major damage to your vehicle if left unchecked; however, there are steps you can take to keep them from entering your car in the first place. Our guide on detering rats from destroying your vehicle walks you through the easy and effective ways to ensure that rats stay far away from your vehicle.
Seal Up Cracks & Holes Inside The House
Rats are opportunistic and will take any opportunity to get into your house. If you seal off all of the holes and cracks in your home, then you can keep them from finding their way inside.
- Check for gaps under doors.
- Check for gaps in the floorboards.
- Check for gaps in the ceiling, especially near vents and light fixtures.
- Make sure there aren’t any holes or gaps anywhere else, either; rats can squeeze through even small openings if they have to!
Seal Up Cracks & Holes Outside The House
If you have rats in your attic, it’s likely that they got in through a hole or crack in the outside of your house. To keep them from getting back into your home, seal up all the holes with caulk or steel wool to make sure nothing can get through.
If there is more than one small hole, be sure to fill each one individually so that no other rats have access to get into the house again.
If you notice any large cracks or gaps around windows or doors on the outside of your house, cover them up with metal flashing tape.
This will prevent rodents from squeezing themselves into tight spaces where they can find food and shelter inside of homes where they are unwanted visitors.
You can also use metal sheet metal screws and hammers as an alternative method if necessary – but we recommend using only high quality materials so that everything stays secure without rusting away over time!
Rats are not known for their cleanliness, but with careful and attentive care, you can ensure that your pet is always healthy and happy. Our post on how to bathe your pet rats contains useful tips to help you give your furry friends the bath they need to stay clean and hygienic.
Set A Trap
Purchase a rat trap from a hardware store or online.
Set the trap in places where rats are likely to be, such as near their burrows and along walls and floorboards that smell of food.
Use peanut butter, cheese or bacon as bait on the trap (some people find that meat works better). Place the bait about midway up one side of the trap, so that it doesn’t roll off when you set it down to check it later on – this is called “baiting at an angle.”
Once you’ve successfully caught a rat, dispose of it by double-wrapping it in newspaper before putting in a plastic bag and putting both in your trash can outside
Use D-Con Rat Poison
If you’re looking for a quick and easy method to keep rats away, D-Con rat poison is a great choice. It’s available at your local hardware store and comes in a few different sizes.
The smaller containers can be placed in attics or inside walls, while the larger ones are used outside of buildings to keep rats from getting inside.
D-Con rat poison is also effective it kills rats quickly and easily by disrupting their nervous system with prolonged exposure to the poison. Once ingested, it causes paralysis before killing them outright within two days.
The good news is that this brand of rodenticide does not affect humans or other pets such as dogs; however, it can still be toxic if eaten by other animals such as birds and squirrels (though there are some ways you can prevent this from happening).
Sprinkle Cayenne Pepper Around The House
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the house. You can sprinkle it on the ground or in cracks and crevices.
Cayenne pepper is also available as a spray which you can use to target specific areas of your home, such as along walls or under appliances and cabinets.
Cayenne pepper works best when combined with other methods because it does not kill rats but rather keeps them away from your home by making them uncomfortable enough to leave.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped you understand how to keep rats away. They are very smart, intelligent and destructive animals.
They love to chew on wires and electrical cords, so it’s important to plug them into surge protectors or use metal cables when possible (and always check for damage every time!).
You can also try using natural deterrents like peppermint oil around your home (in places where pets or children don’t go) and be sure to clean any food debris off counters frequently.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can help you to effectively prevent rat infestations:
8 Steps to Take to Keep Rats Away and Out of Your House – This blog post from Triangle Pest Control offers eight practical tips for keeping rats out of your home.
How to Get Rid of Rats In Your Home – Smith’s Pest Management outlines the steps necessary to successfully eliminate rats from your home.
10 Easy Tips for Preventing Mouse and Rat Infestation – Be Proactive Pest Control offers useful and effective tips for preventing rats and mice from invading your home.
FAQs
What are the most common signs of a rat infestation?
Rat droppings, gnawed food and materials, scratches or scurrying sounds, and greasy rub marks are some of the most common signs of a rat infestation.
What diseases can rats carry?
Rats are known to carry diseases such as Hantavirus, Salmonellosis, and Leptospirosis.
What are some effective ways to prevent rat infestations?
Effective rat prevention methods include eliminating entry points, removing food sources, using rat-proof containers, maintaining cleanliness, and regular inspection.
Can I use DIY methods to get rid of rats in my home?
DIY methods such as traps and poisons are widely used to get rid of rats, but professional pest control services are recommended to ensure safe and effective elimination.
How can I prevent rats from entering my home or building?
You can prevent rats from entering your home or building by sealing all entry and exit points, including gaps around pipes, vents, and wires. Installing door sweeps and caulking cracks and crevices can also help.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I write about how to keep pests from invading your home. For the last 10 years, I’ve been working in pest control and am excited to share my expertise with you!
