There are people who love rats and keep them as pets. However, there is a big difference between domesticated rats and those that enter your home as pests and spread disease. These vermin are resilient, and they also breed easily, so a rat problem can get out of hand very quickly.
This is why it’s so important that you make rat problems in your home less likely and why you need to deal with issues that do occur, as quickly and effectively as possible. There are ways that you can make rat infestation less likely and signs of a rat problem that it’s important to look out for.
What makes rat infestation more likely?
Rats need three things to survive and thrive; food to eat, water to drink and a place where they can nest. If these three things are readily available in your home, it’s more likely that rat infestations will occur. In order to try and stop this from happening you should clear away all food remnants and empty kitchen bins regularly. You should also keep an eye on pet food and water dishes and clear them away when they are not in use. Keep attics and crawl spaces clean and do not let piles of clothes build up.
Signs that your home may be infested
It’s important to look out for signs that your home may have been infested by rats. The sooner you know that they are there, the sooner the problem can be dealt with. If there is a known rat problem in the area, it’s especially important for you to be vigilant. You may see obvious signs of their presence in your outside space, such a dropped fruit that has been eaten, or burrowing.
If the rats are inside your home, you may be able to hear them scurrying in the attic or crawl space. Rats also tend to chew a lot, so you may notice that areas of wood, or cables, show significant signs of gnawing. The urine and faeces of rats can cause symptoms of illnesses such as asthma to worsen, so this may be a sign that you have a problem in your property.
How to resolve a rat problem
If you find that you have a problem with rats in your home, there are steps that you can take. You can set rat traps in your home. They can take a long time to set up and clear away, but they can be effective over time. Traps are probably the most effective DIY method of dealing with rats as poison can be dangerous if handled in the wrong way and it’s not ideal for use around children and pets. If traps do not work immediately do not worry. Rats tend to be wary of new things, so it may take a while before they approach the traps.
If you have a large infestation of rats, or you are not comfortable dealing with the issue, you should seek professional help as soon as possible. If you wait too long the rats may be more difficult to get rid of and significant damage may have already been caused.
