A rat problem can be a terrifying and worrying situation. But that problem gets even worse if you’re a pet owner. Many traditional DIY pest control methods could cause illness or even death if ingested in certain quantities.
Fortunately, there’s a better way forward. Here’s how to get rid of rats without threatening the health and well-being of the furriest members of your family.
Understand the Core Issue
Your first goal should be to determine “where” and “why. Where is the infestation coming from, and why is it happening right now?
Know that rats are primarily attracted to food sources and water. Any food that’s been left out (particularly pet food, as they can often eat through the bags) or water that’s collected in a crawl space or basement is enough to pique their interest.
Choose Your Method
If you want to know how to get rid of rats safely, your best bet will always be to team up with a pest control company. However, homeowners can still employ methods before and after their visit from a professional to help deter future infestations or manage the existing ones.
Seal Entry Points
The most important thing to do is ensure the rats don’t have a way inside your home. Even small gaps can act as a front door for them. They can squeeze through cracks as small as half an inch.
With that in mind, check for even the smallest holes or cracks in the foundation, floors, windows, and doors. Seal any that you encounter with something the rats can’t chew through, such as caulk, steel wool, or metal mesh.
Keep Up With House Cleaning
Clean homes aren’t happy homes for rats. Put food promptly away when you’re done, and remember to clean under appliances — where all the crumbs like to hide — and furniture frequently.
Clutter might seem less important to address, but it can give rats a comfortable hiding place. Keeping your home tidy and organized is highly recommended for preventing pests.
Try Humane Traps
If your goal is to learn how to get rid of rats for good, humane traps are a good mitigation tactic for an existing infestation, even if it’s only a band-aid for the problem. These traps allow you to catch the rats and release them far away from your home, hoping they won’t return.
This has some apparent negatives, like having to handle the rats, which is not generally recommended. But if you choose this method, remember to keep yourself protected with gloves, even if you’re just handling the traps, to eliminate the risk of diseases.
Try Natural Repellents
Rats dislike certain scents, including peppermint oil. You can soak cotton balls in these materials and place them where you see evidence of rat activity to deter them from returning for seconds. Many natural repellents are generally safe for pets, too. However, you should thoroughly research the oils you use to ensure they’re pet-safe.
Get a Little Help from Mother Nature
You probably hadn’t considered weaponizing the natural food chain. Still, it’s a good strategy for discouraging rats from entering your home.
Installing an owl box is one of the best ways to encourage this help. Obviously, this only works if you have owls in your area, but attracting these birds of prey will likely help cull the rat population since they’re a natural source of food for owls.
Monitor Closely and Consistently
Check to see how your efforts are faring. Are the methods you’ve tried working out for you? If you’ve been using peppermint oil and aren’t seeing the results you want, switch it up and try something else.
Alternatively, maybe your methods were successful, or you’ve worked with professionals. Even in such cases, it’s vital that you keep a close eye on areas that currently have or used to have an infestation so you can catch things early and prevent pests from coming back.
Hire Local Professionals
Regardless of which options you pick from the methods above, you should always contact a professional pest control company to handle your rat problem. It’s one of the only surefire ways to eliminate the issue entirely while keeping your pets completely safe.
Consider More Tips for How to Get Rid of Rats
Pest control isn’t just about sweeping action; it also involves small steps that make up the bigger picture. Here are some quick tips to help keep your home rat-free and pet-safe.
Educate Yourself
Online resources (like this one) are incredibly beneficial for learning how to keep your home pest-free. Comb through resources to learn more about protecting your pets while controlling a rat problem.
Consult Professionals
When you schedule your professional pest control visit, this is an excellent time to discuss your options. Treat it as an opportunity to learn everything you can about getting a handle on an infestation.
Professionals can help guide you through your specific situation. They’ll use your situation as context to give you more personalized suggestions on how to handle pests.
Don’t Rely Solely on DIY
DIY solutions can be helpful and sometimes even enough if you’ve caught the problem early on. But more often than not, DIY solutions won’t enable you to rid yourself of larger infestations.
You don’t need to be on the frustrating treadmill of constantly worrying about when you’ll see the next sign of a rat. Avoid this headache altogether by letting professionals handle it for you swiftly so you can feel comfortable in your home again.
Keep at It
Having a pest problem in your home can be a frustrating and often demoralizing experience. But don’t get disheartened — you can handle this. And you can do it without dangerous poisons that threaten your pets’ lives. It just might take a bit more effort and planning to do so effectively.
Safe Pest Removal for Every Member of Your Family
If you want to know how to get rid of rats without putting your pet’s health at risk, we can help. Attic Projects has a team of professionals ready to do everything from addressing structural damage to sealing gaps in crawl spaces and attics so rats have no home to return to. Contact our team today to learn more about what we have to offer.
