It is without a doubt that rats are unpleasant and unwanted visitors to the home. In addition to that, they also pose a lot of health risks as they carry around several diseases.
More to note is that rats can be very destructive as they can chew through electric wiring, insulation, and walls. If you are looking to get back the full comfort of your home, you have to be aware of the steps to take to get rid of the rats and fast.
Identifying a Rat Infestation in your Home
Damage
One of the most obvious signs that your home is infested with a rat is the damage they leave behind. They tend to chew on paper, storage containers, furniture, electrical cords, or eat that last bit of food you left on the counter.
Droppings
Ever wake up in the morning and see some weird small droppings on your floor? It is likely a sign that your home is infested with rats. Examine the dropping to see if they are dark and pellet-shaped.
Awkward Smells and Sounds
Noticing loud squeaking and rustling noises in addition to a strong ammonia smell is an indication that you have rats in your home.
Getting Rid of Rats
Getting rid of rats in the house can be done safely and effectively. These are the steps to take if your home has a rat infestation.
Inspect the Home
To get rid of rats, it is important to conduct a thorough inspection in the home to figure out where they are coming from and how to prevent future occurrences. Figure out the areas where they are likely to come from such as damaged drains, spaces near vents, and even cracks that can be found in garage doors. Ensure that these access points are sealed to prevent the entrance of more rats later on. Once the entrance points are identified, traps can then be set. An exterminator can aid in inspecting the home for rats.
Seal the Gaps
The house does not necessarily need to have a large opening for rats to find their way in, as they tend to squeeze themselves through the tiniest holes. Having this in mind, ensure to seal any gap or leakage in your walls. This is a permanent solution to rat infestation, and it is important to seal these walls with cement, caulk, or even wire wool. If you cannot find these gaps, you can reach out to an exterminator.
Clean Up-Sanitation for Rats
It is well known that rats love to hide in dark places and environments. One of the best ways to get rid of rats without the use of poisons is to figure out their hiding place and get it cleaned up. Ensure that all trash is properly disposed of and the drains are well-cleaned.
Rat Traps
This is one of the most efficient and popular methods for getting rid of rats. You however need to be technical and cautious while using rat traps. It is important to make use of traps made for rats and not those made for mice. Mousetraps tend to be small thereby becoming ineffective for trapping rats. The traps ought to be kept in the area which is most infested with rats and places which tend to be dwelling places for rats such as dark attics. There are different types of rat traps like:
- Snap Traps: These are the most popular and efficient types of mouse traps. It kills any rat that comes across it instantly. It is of two types; the wooden trap and the plastic trap. Both are very efficient in getting rid of rats.
- Live Traps: This type of trap does not kill the rat instantly, they rather lock the rat in the trap. Immediately the trap is triggered by the rat, it is locked in. You can however use a different method to kill the rats.
- Glue Traps: These types of traps are alike to live traps because they do not kill the rats immediately. They can be either wooden or plastic and are usually coated with hard glue. It is best to keep them in places where rats are believed to frequently visit. You can however only make use of these traps once.
- Electric Traps: If you need traps that give fast and immediate results, then this is the best pick for you. This trap is made in form of a cage, and baits are placed inside to lure the rat. Immediately the rat is caught in the trap, and an electric shock is sent which kills the rat.
Hiring a Rat Exterminator
This is by far the most effective and efficient method to go for if you are looking to get rid of rats in your house as quickly as possible. Surely, you setting traps is enough to catch some rats, but it cannot fully get rid of these vermin.
Based on the intensity of the infestation, the cost of hiring an exterminator falls into the range of $300 to $500, or above $1000.
If you are dealing with a light infestation, you get about two visits from the exterminator. The first visit bases on inspecting the house and setting traps. Then, the second visit involves removing the traps along with the rats caught.
For a more advanced infestation, you get about four visits from the exterminator where tasks include conducting an inspection, setting traps, clearing the rats, and sealing up all the entry points to ensure there is no further infestation.
Then, for very severe cases where there has been significant damage to properties, the rat exterminator has to take up a more complex rat control treatment. Houses with a basement and large attic are properties that are mostly found in this category. What the exterminator does is set enough traps during the first of his many visits. Then, move on to applying an appropriate volume of rodenticides, conducting various clearing operations, and then top it all up with maintenance and preventive services.
Bottom Line
Rat infestations are very annoying and disgusting to deal with. If you have determined whether or not you have rats, the next line of action is to get rid of them. An exterminator is an obvious choice in this case as they have all the tools and equipment to safely carry out the task. Also, ensure you seal off all entry points to ensure no other rat can get in.
Synergy² Pest Control Jackson MS
If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.
Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here at Synergy² Jackson Pest Control!