Every homeowner has to deal with pests at some point inside their homes. You can read more about them in this useful site here. This is normal since a house is abundant with food, and it can protect them from predators and weather changes. A lot of residences have found themselves face to face with rodents eating on cereal bowls at night, and this is something that should immediately stop.
If you are one of the homeowners who often see pests running around your home, it’s time to get rid of them, and you need to do this fast. Why? Because you don’t know where the rodents came from, and they carry bacteria and viruses in their bodies that cause illnesses. They can also multiply fast so you also need to act immediately.
Recognizing that your home is infested with these pests should be the first step to do. If you see one or two rats inside, this is an excellent time to make a full house inspection. During inclement weather, the rats will search for dry and warm harbors and new food sources during the night. Some of the tell-tale signs that indicate that you have infestation include the following:
Signs You Have Rats In Your Home
1. Sound and Smells
The smell that most mice and rodents bring is similar to that of urine. This is because these pests may get ammonia from garbage cans and other filthy places that they have been into. Most of them are fond of the sewers, so they will likely have a strong smell inside the home. When they move within the walls, you may also hear some scratching or squeaking noises, so be sure to look out.
2. The Dreaded Droppings
If you notice those dark pellets in one of your cabinets, there’s a chance that it is infested with rats. The worst ones are about 14 mm long, and they can usually be found at the entrances and exit points of your property.
3. The Smears
Most of the rodents are establishing new routes and pathways every day, and this is something that they memorize. This is because rats like to do adventures at night, and they also have poor eye sights. If you see some of the smears on your walls and surfaces, this can be a strong indication that something is going on.
4. Damages on Newspapers, Wirings, Cabinets, and More
One of the most harmful results of having pests inside the home is finding gnawed wirings, papers, furniture, and more. Aside from the illnesses and germs that they carry, most of the rats are also destructive.
Even if there’s adequate food lying around, they will still find ways to destroy your things. Check your cabinets for shredded paper or damaged containers. Be on the lookout as well for fire hazards such as exposed wires, and more.
Now that you have an idea of why you should never allow rats inside your property, it’s time to take steps to get rid of them. Some of the ways can be DIY routes, and others may require the help of an effective rodent control expert that can take care of the problem once and for all. They will be able to solve your problems and prevent you from getting harmful diseases in the process.
How to Get Rid of Rats
1. Set Traps
Most traps are convenient and inexpensive solutions for rodents. You can put them into the areas or pathways you suspect the rat may enter during the night. If you leave them unbaited, you can use them for a few weeks.
It is important to check them as the traps may regularly contain dead mice or rodents in the morning. Leaving them alone can attract flies, ants, and other insects or cause another infestation. Set the traps where you see some signs of the rodents.
You can place them on basements, attics, or anywhere where food is abundant. But make sure that they will not accidentally catch your pet’s limbs, or they should be out of children’s reach.
- Snap Traps – These are made from plastic or wood, and they are instrumental in capturing rats. Make sure to choose the larger ones so that the rodent can be killed instantly. It is inhumane to let them suffer by using smaller traps or injure them. Use this with caution.
- Live Traps – Wires often make these kinds, and they automatically close when a pest accidentally gets in. They are commonly used to trap beavers, squirrels, and other wild animals, but they are also effective with rodents. When the rodent activates a mechanism sensor, it can be trapped and captured inside. You can release the rodent into its natural habitat away from your home or kill it so that it can’t harm other households.
- Glue Boards – The glue boards are ideal for mice, but they are not as effective with more giant rats. You can put bait in them to attract the pest. However, if you caught a bigger rat, it will just only drag the board around the home if one of its feet is stuck. Another thing is that the larger ones can sometimes pull themselves away from the glue, and the consequences are something that you want to avoid.
A Pest Control Company Can Help
It’s no secret that rats are out to get you. Whether you think you have already sealed the entrances or have already purchased a lot of traps, getting rid of them through the DIY route is sometimes not enough for the long-term. After all, rats are bright creatures used in many laboratory settings, and they know that you are out to kill them, so they take extra precautions.
You can call a professional who is knowledgeable and has the right tools to exterminate the pests. They can effectively control the rodents inside and outside of your property and inspect your ceilings and walls. Read more about the things that you can do to help the work of the pros become easier here: https://www.thespruce.com/prep-steps-for-rodent-control-service-2656473.
A trained rodent inspector has the proper gear, masks, and gloves to prevent getting bitten. You can always check with them to get rid of your headaches once and for all.
