Keeping Bugs Where They Belong

Three Things To Avoid If You Don't Want Rats

29 May 2018

Judy Lute

No one wants rats to infest their home. These invaders will get into your food and leave behind droppings, which is both annoying and unsanitary. They can also do dangerous damage to homes, particularly if they begin to chew into any of the wiring or destroy the insulation in the walls. The following are three things you can do to make your home less attractive to rats.

#1: Remove food sources

Rats tend to go where the food is, so your goal is to have none available for them to pilfer. Pet food, particularly if it is left outside on a porch, can be a major attractant. Put away uneaten portions after mealtime and keep the bags sealed in containers. Bird seed can also attract rats, as can stored garden seed that isn't kept in a lidded container. Garbage should also be kept in sealed cans, and indoor garbage cans should be emptied into the outdoor one often. The pantry is also an issue. If you've seen signs of rats, then you need to move open pantry items into tight-sealing storage containers, such as glass or heavy duty plastic that is difficult to chew through.

#2: Cut down on nesting sites

After food, the next biggest attractant for rats is a place to call home. Piles of leaves and debris against your home, brush piles out in the yard, or piles of old clothing, rags, or newspaper inside the home are all examples of inviting nesting places. The simplest way to handle this issue is to declutter. Rake up and dispose of yard debris. Keep your home and garage tidy so that there are no easy hiding places. If you save items like newspapers for recycling, take them out to the recycler more often or place them in a container that has a lid. The goal is to have no undisturbed piles of anything laying around to provide a nesting site to these pests.

#3: Patch up entry points

Rats can squeeze through very small gaps to get into a home. A small crack in the foundation or an old hole through the siding from a cable line are examples of common entry points for rats. Grab your tube of caulk and walk the outer perimeter of your home. If you notice small cracks or gaps, fill them with the caulk. For larger gaps, tear off a piece of steel wool and force it into the opening before caulking over. The steel provides purchase for the caulk and makes it impossible for a rat to chew through.

If you need further advice for keeping rats out, contact a rat removal company for help.

Share

Search