Controlling Rats In Your Home: What You Should Know
Rats are large rodents that are similar to mice, in that they will get into anything they can in order to find the food they need and water they need in order to survive. Rats, unlike mice, are a little larger and have long tails. Their noses are a bit larger as well. Rats are usually present in cities, rather than in rural areas. If you have rats in your home, it is something you want to have taken care of right away before they become a major issue for you and your family, as well as any neighbors you may have close by, or on the wall next to you, such as in an apartment or condo. If you have rats, read on for a few things you may be able to do yourself.
Set Rat Traps
Rat traps are like mouse traps, although they are larger in size. They are set the same way, all you have to do is follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to set the traps. You can use live traps, but you will still have to get rid of the rats yourself. Set the traps you wish to use, then reset the traps over and over again. You may have to use multiple traps in your home if you have a major issue with these pests. If you have a major issue, you may need to contact the building manager, as there could be reasons why they are getting inside and your building may need some major repairs.
Clean Thoroughly
Clean your home thoroughly in order to remove any residue left behind by the rats, but also to prevent attracting any more rats to your home. They are going to feed off any crumbs left behind, and they will feed off of the food you have left out on your counters and in your pantry as well. Put all food into stored and sealed containers, and put anything you can into your refrigerator. Don't leave anything out at all. Wipe down all surfaces, including inside your sink, microwave, and your oven, as well as any other small appliance you have in your kitchen. Wipe everything down with a bleach/water solution to kill odors and prevent these pests from coming back to your home.
If you have an issue with these rodents, they won't stop as long as they are finding what they need. If you continue to feed them, they will continue to come back. Hire a pest control company that offers rat control services to help guide you in getting rid of these pests and to exterminate them from your home.