Rats in the real world are nothing like the cartoon characters you see on TV and in movies. Besides being disgusting, these rats provide several threats to both property and human life. Rats, like other pests, seek food, water, and refuge in human homes. You don’t want them in your house, that’s for sure. With the propensity to transmit a variety of diseases that could be lethal, rats are a significant threat to public health. These rats may also chew through electrical wires, so you can add “fire hazard” to the list of problems they bring.
What are Rats?
We all know what rats look like, but did you know where they reside, how they choose their habitat, and what they consume aren’t well known? They originated in Asia and Australia and have spread throughout the world. More than 60 rat species have been identified by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
Rat Infestation Warning Signs
Check your home for these tell-tale indicators if you suspect a rat infestation:
Strange Smells & Sounds
Rats produce a strong odor of ammonia. Squeaking, scraping, and crunching sounds can be heard as they move through your home. If you see one of these, you can be sure that rats have taken up residence in the building.
Droppings & Smears
You’ll see rat droppings all over your house if you have rats in your home. Along major rat routes, you may detect little dark, pellet-shaped droppings. Because they have limited eyesight, they develop and maintain routes along the walls. There are grease smudges on the walls from these vehicles as they move along these routes. Raccoon Removal services Toronto
Footprints
Check out an unappreciated area of your home. After sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda over the floor, examine it the next day to look for fresh footprints. Rats are known for leaving their footprints and tails wherever they go.
Damage
Lastly, rats leave a trail of destruction wherever they go. You should be aware that they can gnaw on things like electrical cords and paper, and they can also consume food that has been left out on the counter. As they do their business, they can spread disease-carrying excrement and urine throughout your house.
Ways to Prevent a Rat Infestation
It is not uncommon for rats to gain access to homes, including cotton rats, Norway rats, and roof rats. Each has a distinct personality, which necessitates a different strategy for removing them. Pest control prevention, on the other hand, is the most effective method. Here are a few ideas for keeping rats out of your house:
Store Food Properly
In addition to cleaning up after meals, you should store all of your kitchen’s food properly in cupboards and the refrigerator and keep it out of the reach of rats. If you leave your waste out in the open, rats will scavenge through it and eat anything they can get their hands on, including fruit and vegetables that have fallen to the ground in your garden or pet food that has been left outside. Do your best to secure the lids on your garbage cans and collect your produce. If you have pets, avoid feeding them outside and remove any uneaten food immediately.
Fill up Holes and Repair Cracks
The foundation, doors, and windows of your home should be frequently inspected for cracks and gaps to prevent rodent infestations. Rats can squeeze through even the tiniest of gaps, so be sure to patch in and fix any holes that may be present in your home or business. Cockroach Control Services Toronto
Remove Any Possible Hideouts!
Rats will find a place to hide if you have piles of yard debris or other garbage on your property, including new automobiles. Storage outside of your home should be kept at least a foot away from the exterior of your house. Maintain a distance of at least a few feet between trees, shrubs, or other flora and your home’s foundation, windows, and roof.
Make Your Place Smell Like Mint
Mint is nearly repulsive to rats. If you want to keep your home smelling clean, this is the method. Place peppermint oil around your home where rats are known to congregate or gain in. Plant sprigs in your garden.
Bait and set traps
Rats and other harmful pests and rodents can be controlled with non-toxic, gentler methods, but if you suspect an infestation, you’ll need to use a more aggressive strategy. Check the traps you buy for mice and rats to see whether any of them pose a danger to your children or pets. For the safety of everyone in your home, rat poison and bait should be stored outside. Install traps there if you’ve observed rats, proof of their presence, or if doors or other possible entry points exist.
Get a Cat
In real life, cats and rats go head-to-head, and it’s not just in cartoons. The two will never get along; thus, it makes sense to have a cat to keep mice and rats at bay if you enjoy cats and aren’t allergic to them. Mice and rats only need a whiff of your fragrance to stay away; you don’t even need a vicious feline.
Conclusion
There are year-round rat pest issues. Taking control of your rat pest problems early on can significantly positively impact the quality of your life. To rid your home of current pests, set up a pest barrier, and keep it that way, contact Pestong Pest Control.
