- GRR Editorial Team
4 Questions to Ask Before Trying to Catch a Rat
Updated: Dec 28, 2022
Rats are dirty. These rodents bite humans and cause injury to the kidney. Besides, rats spread illness through their stool and urine. Thus, nobody wants these vermin running around their homes. To deal with this problem, rat control becomes necessary. Ask these four important questions before you try to catch a rat.
Where do you live?
Finding the best extermination plan depends on what part of the United States do you live in. The two most common types of rodents in the country are the Norway or Brown rats and the Roof (Black) rats. You can find the first species in the West, South-West, and Mid-West. The second variety thrives along shorelines or seashores. The brown rat feeds on different types of food. Meanwhile, the black rat feasts more on plant material. Norway rats supposedly came from Asia but can now be found worldwide. On the other hand, roof rats are smaller and seek shelter in the upper parts of the house. These originated in Southeast Asia but are common today in coastal areas. This scenario will give you an idea of possible rat control measures.
What are the signs of activity?
When will you know that rats start to infest your home? Revealing signs will indicate their presence. First, you can hear noises such as scampering inside the walls, upper floor, or attic. You’ll find pellet-size droppings about ¼ inch thick and ¾ inch long. These are in parts of the house like the kitchen and basement. Or, you can see chew marks near the dining table and food storage boxes and cases. Discovering these traces will help you think about an effective rat control technique.
How do rats get inside?
Rats gain entry inside your home in various ways. Black rodents look for ways to break in through the rooftop, loft, and crawl spaces. In contrast, brown rats live on the ground. These have the tendency to dig in yards and buildings. The roof rat munches or gnaws through walls, pipes, insulation, and wires. So, begin looking at the attic and roof. Locate the damage back to the entry point. This way, you can set up a trap and cover the hole to prevent other rats from entering. The Black rat leave signs of damage on verandas, foundations, footpaths, and other structures. Start by checking out the basement and ground floor along the walls. Then, look for the best plan for your DIY rat control program.
How to create an undesirable environment for rats?
The final question is how to create an undesirable environment for these rodents? First and foremost, rats invade residences for comfort and food. You can base your rat control on this argument. Therefore, clean and declutter all parts of your house. Less litter means fewer hiding places for rats. Store all your food properly. Clean drains and pipes frequently. Yes, eliminate all possible food sources for rodents. Close cupboards and cabinets well. Keep leftovers inside the fridge or tightly-sealed containers. Clean up all spills after eating. Seal all holes, gaps, and large cracks. Small rats easily get inside a house through these fissures. You can plug them using cement, caulking material for sealing, wire wool, and metal plates. Avoid giving these rats easy access to your abode. If DIY steps don’t work, ask the advice of pest control specialists in your locality. These experts can provide you with professional rat control measures that will surely work.