Rats carry diseases, pose a health risk and are responsible for spreading the plague. They are destructive. They chew through walls and electrical wiring and through insulation, causing havoc for you and your family. Rats live everywhere, and as long as humans are around to give them food, they tend to thrive. Rats are omnivores, and they are best known for scavenging through trash and eating food leftovers. They can survive for a month without directly drinking water. They tend to consume water from the food they eat.
Rodents or rats get the shelter they need from grasses and other plants. Rats also make nests under appliances. Rats are known to have a gestational period of less than a month, so the population gets quickly out of control. Many individuals avail the services of Pest Control Geelong as it is one of the best pest control services, and it also offers lucrative prices to the customers.
Following are some tips to get rid of rats-
1. Keep your garden clean
It is a known fact that rats like open spaces, and hence you should keep your lawn and garden trimmed, clutter-free and clean. This is the best way to discourage the rats from creating havoc in your garden. You should trim your grass often, remove the piles of leaves and wood, close and lock all storage sheds, and patch any holes in the siding and exterior garbage bins. You should also ensure that rats do not have access to food outside your home. You should clean up the fallen fruits and vegetables in the garden.
2. Fill holes, gaps and cracks
Rats tend to slip into the holes of a quarter. You should check your home for any openings and seal it with the proper materials. These materials include steel wool, caulk, cement and plaster. You should also cover weather-strip doors and windows if they have large cracks. You should keep rats away; once an infestation starts, they are hard to eliminate.
3. Do not feed rats
Rats will find things to eat around your property. Hence, you should be very diligent in dealing with them. It is essential to cover garbage cans at all times. You should also pick produce from your garden and trees as it ripens. You should also pick up the composted vegetables and fruits that fall to the ground. You should also feed the outdoor pets during the day and not leave the leftover food around the corner. You should also not store the pet food outside without ensuring it is in rodent-proof containers.
4. Set traps for rats
Traps/baits are one of the most effective ways to get rid of the rats faster. To experience the best results, you should consider using snap traps. These are fast methods to kill rats instantly. To prevent other animals from getting into the trap that you have set, you should place them inside the box. You can also place them under a milk crate. The cheapest and most attractive way is baiting the trap with peanut butter. If rats eat something specific at your place, you also might consider baiting the trap with that instead. For instance, Rats eating apples/peaches off your kitchen counter may respond well to any trap set with sliced apples.
Just like rats, termites create havoc, and if you have furniture that has been captivated by termites, you should avail of Termite Control Geelong services.
5. Use baits and poison outside
The baits, as well as poison, should be only used outside your home as there are chemicals that are very powerful and could be lethal. If you place poison inside the home, rats can also spread it around. It can make your home hazardous for all animals and inhabitants.
If you plan on using the baits, you should be careful to read and follow all the directions on the label. Keeping the rat bait in a fully enclosed bait station is essential. This place should be isolated from kids, pets and animals. There are many caveats to using the baits. Hence, you should read and understand the state and local laws.
6. Use dry ice
One of the most effective and useful ways to get rid of the rats without poison is to use dry ice. It produces carbon dioxide. It anesthetizes and kills the rats. If you want to experience the best results, you should place the dry ice at the entrance of the burrows. You should make sure that you use gloves and other protective gear since dry ice can damage the skin.
7. Remove their habitat
It is also very essential to do everything in your capacity to remove debris, such as old cars and appliances, from your property. You should store wood piles at least 18 inches above the ground if you have wood piles. It is vital to keep them a foot away from your home and other walls. You should also remove heavy vegetation, as rats consider this a great place to sneak in.
8. Lure them out by setting bait stations
Mice will generally only venture out for food at night and place bait stations wherever you have spotted the food droppings including sinks, drawers and furniture. There are several rodent killing chemicals, baits and it kills mice in a single feed. It also kills the fleas that are commonly found on rats before they spread diseases. This product is effective against the rodents that are resistant to warfarin.
If you want to experience good results, you should remove all the other potential food sources which might distract the rats.
9. Keep rodents away from outdoors as well
Rats are wary of changes in their territory. It is important to clean the barbecue area and any outdoor dining area regularly. One should also keep an eye out on your plants and crops. They are always on the lookout for food. Hence, if you are growing any crops such as vegetables and fruits, you should harvest them as soon as they ripe and remove any fruit that has dropped on the ground.
