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This article will discuss tips for what steps you can take if a rat infestation is discovered.
A rat infestation can be a difficult pest to deal with, and it’s often best to call in the professionals. However, there are some things that you can do yourself before calling them out. Here are nine of these things:
Look about your home to see if you notice any rats
Look in the dark corners of your basement or in storage areas where food is kept. Also, look behind appliances and cabinets. If you see a rat, free standing traps work best for them. You can set them along the walls in areas where you have seen rats.
Seal any openings that might allow rats to get into your home
Look around the corners of your basement or under decks and porches to find gaps where a rat could fit. You will want to seal up these places with steel wool, cement, or even metal. You can ask a professional to come and help you with this if you would like. (The first time I had mice in my house, the exterminator showed me how to seal up all of the areas where they could fit.)
Get rid of food that will attract rats
Rodents are scavengers by nature, and they love to eat things that you have left out. They especially like pet food, garbage, and even your kitchen cabinets. Make sure that you get rid of any food that could attract rodents and seal up any utilities outside the house so that no rodents can use them to enter.
If you are dealing with rat problems inside the house, set some traps.
Rodent traps are available at many supermarkets and hardware stores. You can also find unique ones on the internet that may be more effective for you. Some of these unique traps come equipped with bait but you can always add your own food to entice them in as well. Just avoid sticky liquids like peanut butter or cheese. These just attract animals but don’t kill them quickly.
Be sure to bait the traps correctly.
The perfect way to do this is with food or something that smells like it like bacon grease. It drives them crazy and makes them want to get into the trap more. You also need to put lots of bait in the trap. Just set up several traps deeply and you’ll hopefully entice them.
If you are dealing with a rat infestation in your basement, don’t disturb the rats.
Try to leave them alone as much as possible. They probably have their nest where they will be making plenty of noise if they find it disturbed. You should also try not to make loud noises while trying to get rid of them here so that you don’t scare them off.
Rat infestations are difficult to handle and it is often best to call in the professionals. That said, there are some things you can do yourself before calling them out. These include inspecting your home for rats, setting traps inside the house that can be baited with food or grease, and getting rid of food sources outside. We hope that you find this article helpful as you deal with your rat problem.