There are some house guests you don't want to welcome in, and one of these is rats. If you've spotted signs of these pests in or around your house, you may be wondering how to get rid of rats fast.
Rodents such as rats and mice are more likely to be in your garden during winter, as they seek out food and shelter, and some may even decide to give your home a visit. Mice can squeeze through gaps less than 2cm in diameter, and rats only need slightly more space, so any small hole to the outside can serve as a rodent gateway straight into your house.
Here's the signs to look out for, how to tell whether you've got mice or rats, and how to prevent them getting into your home in the first place.
Signs of rats in the house
Rats in the house can cause serious damage, according to the British Pest Control Association, "Common ‘gnaw-spots’ include the sheathing around electrical cables, which present a significant fire risk, and pipes, which is likely to result in leaks, both water and gas."
They also carry diseases that are harmful to humans, and breed quickly so it's important to deal with a rat quickly before the problem escalates. Here are some signs that they've infested your home:
1 - Rodent droppings are a good indicator of the pest in your house. Rat droppings are shiny black and 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch long, whereas mice droppings are small and smooth with pointed ends.
2 - Chew marks are another telltale sign to distinguish your rodent. Typical rat teeth marks are 1/8-inch long, while smaller and "scratchier" marks usually indicate mice.
3 - Ammonia smells are a common indicator of rats. Rats communicate and mark their territory by urinating everywhere they go, so they give off a powerful scent that you'll be able to distinguish in your home.
4 - Listen out for squeaking, rustling and scratching noises - rats are not quiet.
5 - Footprints, tail marks and greasy smears are clear indicators of rats traveling around your home.
How to get rid of rats in the house
If you've noticed one or more of the signs above, you'll be wanting to show the rodents the exit. These are some of the ways you can get rid of rats:
Traps: Humane rat and mouse traps can remove rats and mice from your property in a safe and sanitary way. Also known as cage rat traps, these traps come in an assortment of different materials such as plastic or metal, such as The Big Cheese Rat Cage Trap. They allow you to contain the rat so you can release it away from your home. But be sure to take them far away, otherwise they'll find their way back in. There are also snap traps which will kill the rat quickly – a preferred option for some.
Rat poison: Poison isn’t for everyone, but it is a quick method of killing off a rat problem. Always follow the instructions on the label, and importantly search for and dispose of any dead rodents in a safe manner.
Bait stations: Bait boxes and stations are a highly effective way to control mice and rats. However, a bait station is not a trap. The rodent enters the station, nibbles on the bait, leaves, and normally goes back to its nest where it dies a day or two later. The benefit of using a bait station instead is that they're resistant to child and pet tampering.
Call an exterminator: Unlike mice, rats will often outsmart traps set for them as they're wary of new things in their environment. If you find traps don't work or you'd rather get an expert in, you can contact your council to report a pest problem and find out if they provide pest control services to remove pests like wasps, rats, mice and bedbugs.
What's the best bait to use for rats
Good baits are, bacon, chocolate, nuts (particularly peanuts in their shells or peanut butter). Apple, tomato and potato are also often used with success against rats.
Where to put a rat trap or bait station
It’s important to identify where the root of your rodent problem is. How are they gaining access to your property? Rats only need a ½ inch gap to squeeze through, this could easily be a gap in your wall around a pipe, the space between your door threshold or a loose tile.
Place rat traps in high-activity areas of the rat colony. These areas may include darkened corners, along walls, behind appliances and objects, and all areas where droppings are evident.
How to prevent rats getting into the house
• Block their entry routes: You can deter rats from coming into your home by taping up cracks in walls, sealing holes around plumbing and covering ventilation and drainage pipes. Also make sure compost heaps, garden debris, accessible rubbish or cardboard boxes are kept well away from your house. These are all ideal rodent habitats and nesting materials. Rats, unlike mice, also need regular access to water, so if where possible cover up open supplies .
• Clear away food: Food left out is irresistible to rodents, so deal with it and wash it up straight away. Keep all food – especially dry food, and compost waste – sealed away in an airtight box.
• Keep your bins covered: Cover any household waste where rats can get access to it and close dustbin lids. Recycling containers should also be washed to remove any food residue. Using wheelie bin storage can also help keep your bins out of reach from pests.
• Remove temptation: Rats love shelter and places to hide. One of the best ways to eliminate rats without poison is to eliminate their hiding places. Clean up the clutter in and around your home and move objects away from the walls.
• Natural deterrents: Rodents have a highly tuned sense of smell, so strong scents such as peppermint oil are overwhelming and unpleasant for them. Try leaving cotton wool balls with 8-10 drops of peppermint essential oil in the corner of rooms or near suspected entry points (you'll need to refresh these every couple of days or so). There are also plug-in devices which emit a high-frequency noise disliked by rodents, which can help.
How to get rid of rats in the garden
Since rats are nocturnal you might not see them in your garden, but they'll still leave signs of their presence. Look out for droppings or track marks in your lawn. You may also find signs of them nesting beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.
As with rats in the house, there are ways to deter rats from using your garden as their new home:
• If you feed garden birds, do not do this to excess and use a bird table or feeder basket if possible, to catch any spilled seed. In urban areas, taking in bird feed at dusk is a way to remove an easy food supply during normal feeding time.
• Keep your compost and garden waste in a secure lidded bin, keep your grass short to remove cover and reduce overgrown areas, particularly near fences.
• Rats are ‘neo-phobic’, which means they have a fear of new things. They don’t like disruption to their territory, so place obstacles in their runs and move things around in the garden frequently.
• Make sure to sweep away debris after eating outside and if you have decking, close up any access points beneath it or consider patio instead.
Do cats keep mice and rats out of your house?
Cats can be highly effective deterrents, even if they're not really 'mousers'. Rodents do not like the smell of cats, one of their natural predators, and will avoid being caught in the open. However, some cats do like to bring in live catches, which they may release into the house.