How to Get Rid of Rats
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2009
by Carolyn Tytler
"We do not need to burn down the house to kill the rats." Herbert Hoover
Rats can pose a serious threat to people, pets and structures when they infest a home or property. They damage structures by gnawing on walls and foundations. They munch on building materials: wood, plastic, insulation, wallboard and wiring.
They help themselves to a large variety of food: fruit, vegetables, family leftovers, pet food, even boxed goods in cupboards. What they don't eat, they contaminate, besides leaving a huge mess in the storage area.
Rats breed quickly, so it is necessary to act as soon as you notice their presence. Females have five to ten litters a year consisting of five or six young ones each. They can overrun a yard and residence in no time.
To get rid of these rodents, it is necessary first to remove their supply of food, water and shelter.
Eliminate their food supply
* Store all food in metal or glass containers with tight lids.
* Fresh fruit, vegetables and other perishable food must be kept in the refrigerator.
* Pet food should be stored in a secure place between feedings.
* Use metal garbage tins outdoors with bungee cords strung through the handles to keep the lids on.
* If you have a bird feeder, a fruit or a nut tree, pick up fallen material each day.
* Collect and bury your pet's feces promptly.
* If you have a compost box, store it away from the house. Maintain it properly by stirring and adding lime every few months.
* If you suspect any food was touched by rats, discard it immediately.
Eliminate their water supply
* Repair any plumbing leaks.
* Cover pools and hot tubs when not in use.
* Empty pet drinking bowls overnight and refill several times during the day.
* Remove any standing water on the property, such as in wheel barrows, flower pots or ditches.
Eliminate their shelter
* Remove old sheds, wood piles, old cars and furniture from the yard.
* Keep grass and ditches trimmed.
* Cover crawl spaces and vents into the house with thick metal screening.
* Clean up clutter; it provides a good place for a rat to hide.
* Fill up holes or crevices in the foundation with mortar mixed with glass shards.
* Cover open drains with strong metal screening.
* Examine places where wires or pipes enter the house. A rat only needs 1/2 an inch to squeeze himself in.. Seal any possible entry points.
Now you have made the premises much less appealing and the rat population has probably started to dwindle. It's essential to get rid of the remaining rodents before they can reproduce.
Rat traps are the most effective method . Buy the large size at a hardware store and bait them with hot dogs, liver, bacon. fruits, raisins or marshmallows. Put on gloves before handling the traps. This will keep the human smell off and also protect you from harmful bacteria.
Place the traps along the walls where you have seen evidence of rat infestation. Vermin seldom run out into open areas; they tend to travel close to walls.
Rats are most active during the evening and up until the middle of the night. Go to bed and wait until morning to see the results of your efforts.
Never handle a dead rat with your bare hands. Use gloves plus tongs or a shovel. Drop the rat in a plastic bag, seal and throw in the garbage.
If you have followed all the above steps and are still experiencing a rat problem, it's time to call in a professional exterminator. It may be more expensive than the "do it yourself" method, but these vermin are such nasty, dangerous creatures that you can't afford to take the chance of trying to cohabit with them.
Who wants to be the first case of the Black Plague in the twenty-first century? The health risks of having rats around are just too great.
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