Rats can be a serious problem in homes, carrying diseases and causing injuries. They can also be really destructive when they’re in your home, chewing through walls, wiring, cupboards, and insulation. These pests are commonly known as scavengers, and they don’t need much to survive. That being said, the three basic things they do need to survive, are things that humans also have/need – food, water and shelter.
According to the pest control specialist at Triangle Pest Control, the “best strategy” to keep rats away is to work to keep these pests out of your home to start with. They warned that once an infestation has begun “they are hard to get rid of”.
Luckily, the pros have shared what households can do to “keep these rodents out of your home and away for good”.
Fill holes, cracks and gaps
Rats can slip into holes the size of a 10p coin so it’s worth checking your home for any opening that size and larger. The experts recommend sealing them up with proper materials – these include steel wool, hardware cloth, caulk, cement, and plaster. They added: “Sealing these entry points is one of the most effective forms of rodent control.”
Repel them
It’s possible to “repel rats using essential oils such as peppermint oil” and other smells that they “naturally despise”. The experts recommended: “Using peppermint oil is one of the easiest ways to keep rats away from your home for good as long as you aren’t giving them an easy food source.” Peppermint oil can be picked up from a range of shops.
However, if they can easily access food in your home, then it will be difficult to deter rats, no matter the smell.
Don’t feed them
Rats are resourceful so they will find things to eat around your property. To avoid this cover bins at all times, don’t leave leftover food lying around and don’t store pet food outside without making sure it’s in rodent-proof containers. Rodents will use any entry points they can if they are in search of food, so to keep your rodent control effective, limit their food sources.
