How to Get Rid of Rats
The Black Rat and Brown Rat are among the most common pests found in Quebec’s urban neighborhoods. Unfortunately, these rodents pose both health and safety risks to the human population.
In addition to transmitting diseases such as leptospirosis, bubonic plague and Haverhill fever, rats gnaw on electrical wires and pipes and can cause significant property damage.
If you notice rats on your property or in your home, act quickly! Follow these tips from our Quebec pest management technicians to learn how to get rid of rats in your backyard or house.
How to get rid of rats from your house
Like other omnivorous rodents, rats seek out safe habitats with easy access to food and water. Urban centers and large cities offer just the sort of conditions they prefer, making rodent infestation a common problem in Quebec. Professional rat exterminators can recommend ways to get rid of rats, including both preventative measures and extermination methods. You can take steps to minimize the risk of a serious infestation. It is not always possible to get rid of rats once and for all using home-made solutions. Timing is important: the longer it takes to control the proliferation, the more complicated and expensive it becomes to get rid of rats from your backyard or house.Natural ways to get rid of rats
It is always easier to prevent a rat infestation than to get rid of rats from a home or backyard. Ideally, you should do everything you can to prevent rats from invading in the first place. There are several natural repellents you can buy that will discourage rats from coming into your immediate surroundings. To keep rats away from your home, spray lavender, citronella, eucalyptus or peppermint in areas where you suspect there could be rat activity. To keep rats away from your backyard, try planting rosemary, mint or thyme.Everyday household products
You likely have at least one of these everyday products in your cupboards already, meaning you can take action today to get rid of rats from your home. Over-the-counter rat repelling products include:- Salt: When ingested in sufficient quantities, salt will poison a rat, as indicated in this scientific study on killing rats with salt. Rats do not naturally eat salt, so you will need to hide it within foods that disguise its odour.
- Bleach: Mix bleach with milk and add other food to the concoction, such as meat. Place your mixture near an area where you have noticed rat activity. Rats that consume the mixture will die within a few hours.
- Baking soda: Mix the soda with other food. A rat will die soon after eating this human-safe baking product.
Rat traps
There are several types of rat traps. These devices can help limit the spread of rats, but they cannot entirely control a rat colony. Rat traps are most effective in preventing the development of a rat problem. You can use snap traps, electric traps, or cages to capture rats in your house. Some people may see glue traps as a more ecological solution. These sticky boards trap a rat that walks over the glue, but they cause unnecessary suffering and we do not recommend this method.Ultrasonic pest repellers
Ultrasonic rat repellers are electronic devices that emit a sound too high to be registered by the human ear, typically between 20 kHz and 80 kHz. Depending on the setting, the repeller can be used either to repel or to attract rats. These tools can be effective in controlling rat infestations, but there are many factors to consider if you want them to be effective, including range, environment and location.Chemical products
You can also choose from several types of rodenticides to get rid of rats from your home or backyard. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Anticoagulant bait works by disrupting a rat’s blood clotting process. This type of bait is often considered the most effective, but a rat may need to ingest it several times before it works. Other types of rat poison are available in block, liquid or pellet form. Always follow the instructions carefully and remember to isolate the area where you apply the product so that children or pets will not be harmed.Limitations of these methods
You might be able to use the above methods to get rid of rats before you have a full-blown infestation, but you will have to catch the problem early on. Remember to be careful, especially if you have children or pets who could be seriously harmed by coming into contact with rat poison or repellants.How to get rid of rats in your backyard
People often think that installing poisons or repellents within their homes is enough, but rats can also live in the areas around your property. To prevent rats from entering your home, begin by taking care of your backyard. Use the methods already described above or follow our tips for getting rid of rats in your backyard.Backyard maintenance
Rats are attracted to tall grass and bushes. Keep your garden trim and tidy to avoid creating an appealing breeding ground. Also, leave spaces between your plants to avoid creating dense areas of plant life where rats could borrow or hide. Be careful not to leave food scraps around your outdoor garbage bins, as these can attract rats to your home. Rats don’t need much food to survive, so every little bit counts!Get a cat
Cats are predators, but not all cats will hunt rats or even prevent them from invading your home or backyard. It is common belief that a cat will scare rodents away, but the solution is not as simple as that. In fact, adopting a cat is not a quick fix. In some cases it can help, but in others, the presence of a cat may even make the problem worse, especially as diseases can be passed from rodents to cats. Discover 5 reasons why your cat won’t be the solution to your invasion problem.Call in the professionals
The methods we have described can work to prevent a rat invasion or help control an infestation at the early stages, but they will often not be enough in the long term. E.Exterminateur specializes in rat extermination in Montreal and Quebec. Our methods efficiently get rid of rats from all types of buildings (houses, apartments, etc.). We integrate professional tactics and products to get rid of rats and other types of rodents quickly. Contact us to learn more, or for a free evaluation.Get a free consultation by our exterminators in Montreal!
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