Tips to Control Indoor Rats

Rats are common pests that can become a nuisance spreading disease and contaminating food items, rats will cause damage for example chewing on home and car wires which can lead to shortages and possibly a fire. These rodents will chew through wires and thick beams, concrete, boards, drywall, window and door screens, water pipes, sheetrock, metal, lead,  and other building materials. One rat is one rat too many and quick action should be taken to bring control because a single female rat can have as many as 12 pups or liter in a year which means times two females and you have infestation issues.

The key to controlling indoor rats is to first control them outdoors. Once you control rats outdoors, there is no need to worry about them getting indoors. Here is what to do, but if rats have already moved indoors, then these steps will help to manage them, creating a rat-free zone.

Keeping Your Yard Clean

Rats will only take interest in what they are attracted to, a yard that has lots of fallen leaves, and other plant debris will draw rats like a magnet because rats seek four sources, food, source, water source, shelter, and a place to raise their young. If your yard is providing rats with these four sources expect them to show up, a yard that is littered with plant debris will not only attract rats but other rodents, and insect pests including snakes.

Weed Removal

Weed removal is so important because weeds, especially if overgrown, can harbor rats, mice, insects, pests, snakes, and other rodents. They also compete with garden plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Weeds have been known to encourage diseases. Mosquitoes are disease carriers and love weeds to rest on. Weeds also make a yard or garden look unattractive, decreasing a property’s value, so keep your yard free of weeds.

Trash

There is a saying that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” well as for rats, also see trash as treasures, so your outside garbage storage should be well-kept with trash in the bin. The trash can should have a tight tight-fitted lid to keep rats, roaches, flies, and other pests out. A yard that’s littered with trash will encourage the presence of pests.

The Removal of Fallen Fruits

Fallen fruits and vegetables that are left on the ground serve as a buffet for rats, remove all fallen fruits, and properly dispose of them. If you’re composting then don’t throw meat scrapes into your compost which will not only contaminate your compost but will encourage the presence of rats and other rodents. After feeding your pet wash out the bowl because pet leftovers or even the scent from pet food will encourage rodents.

Leaky Pipes and Faucets

Outdoor leaky pipes and faucets will encourage rodents and insect pests, make sure that all leaking pipes and faucets are repaired. Empty containers that collect water should be removed or turned upside down.  Plant saucers that collect water after giving your prize plants a drink or heavy rain should be emptied. Water should be removed or drained from outdoor garden plants that collect water in the center cup. Water can also collect in areas of the yard that have depressions or sink spots where the soil poorly drains. These low areas should be filled in with soil and leveled.

Clear Away Clutter

A cluttered yard is like a hotel to pests because pests use clutter to hide from predators, the wind, the sun, rain, and the cold weather, a clutter-free yard will make a yard open eliminating those hiding places. Firewood should be stored off the ground. Old boxes should be removed and placed in the trash area to be carried away by sanitation companies. Old furniture and appliances should also be removed. Old car parts that are not useful anymore should be discarded as well.

Lawn Maintenance

A well-maintained lawn does not only look beautiful but will increase your property’s value, an overgrown lawn however does not only look unattractive decreasing your property’s value but will make a good hiding place for pests. Make sure that your lawn is kept nicely manicured.

Your Home Building Structure

Cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation should be sealed with caulk, and spaces around electrical and waterpipes that enter your home should be sealed with caulk because insects and rodents can squeeze through these tiny spaces. Check around your door and window frames for damage and repair if needed. Damage door and window screens should be repaired, and tiny spaces under the door make the perfect entry point for pests. If the door sweep is missing then install one or if your door sweep is damaged then replace it.

Limbs and tree branches that are making contact with your home building structure should be trimmed or removed the reason why is that rats will use tree branches and limbs as a bridge to move from the ground onto your home followed by seeking an entry point. Plants that are allowed to grow where the leaves are touching the ground should be lifted by trimming back the lower leaves and branches where rodents can hide. Attic vents and crawl spaces should be covered with steel mesh or metal screening.

Signs that Rats Are in Your Home

• You may see them dead or alive.
• Seeing rat dropping.
• If you have pets they may be behaving strangely.
• Urine stain.
• Damage food packages.
• Tracks and Runways.
• Footprints and smudge marks.
• A foul or ammonia odor.
• Hearing squeaking sounds and movements, especially at night.
• Bite marks or Gnawed holes.
• Nesting materials for example shredded fabric paper, or dried plant matter in hidden areas.

Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy

• Rats take an interest in a home environment where food and water are abundant, therefore make sure that all food particles are swept up in areas where foods are prepared and consumed.
• Clean up all water spills including soft drinks, tea, and coffee.
• Don’t leave dirty dishes overnight but clean after use.
• Clean grease from your stovetop after preparing meals.
• Repair all leaky indoor pipes and faucets.
• Make sure that water is removed from the saucers of indoor plants.
• The area where your indoor trash can is kept should be clean always from food particles.
• Ensure that your indoor trash can has a tight-fitted lid, the lid should be on the trash can at all times.
• Make sure that your home is clutter-free, rats love clutter this type of environment attracts them as they use clutter as protection to hide.
• Store package food items in air-tight containers.
• Clean pet bowls after each use.
• Pet dry foods should be stored in air-tight containers.

How to Control Rats Indoors

If You’re facing facing an infestation indoors then here is what to do to bring control. The nature of rats is to use fences and walls as guides this is the reason why they are unlikely to venture into the center of a room or yard. Rat traps are very effective when placed along a wall or fence or in a low-light setting.

Rat Traps: Setting rat traps indoors is a popular method that has been around for years, from a child I watched my father use these traps indoors for rat control. However, when setting traps indoors make sure that children and pets don’t have access to them because the snap of these traps is dangerous inflicting pain. Once traps are set place them under furniture for example cabinets, chairs sofas etc..

Box Trap: There is a famous saying that “curiosity kills the cat” Well in this regard a rat’s curiosity can bring their demise, cut a hole on each side of a shoe box, bait, and set a rat trap. Place the rat trap in the shoe box and place the box along pathways you suspect rats take. Once the rat sees the box will become curious and enter the box through the hole bringing the rat into contact with the baited trap, well you know how the story ends.

Glue Boards: Glue boards can be used as another option, glue boards can be placed along walls or under furniture.

Victor® Ultra PestChaser®: If the idea of killing rats is something that you do not want to do then consider purchasing a  Victor® Ultra PestChaser® device, Once the device is turned on will produce a piercing noise frequency that only rodents including rats can hear. This sound is deafening and will cause rats and rodents to stay away. Set one of these devices in your attic and another one in your basement.

Victor® Electronic Rat Trap: Victor® Electronic Rat Trap is an effective way against rat control, this device that’s shaped like a mailbox works by delivering a 4,000-volt shock that kills rats instantly, Victor® Electronic Rat Trap operates on four C-size batteries. This device requires no bait, A flashing light on the device lets you know when a rat is dead

Rat Zapper Ultra Rat Trap: The Rat Zapper Ultra Rat Trap eliminates rats by delivering a powerful 8,000-volt zap fit conveniently along walls because of its rectangular shape, this box-shaped device operates on four D-size batteries. bait the inside of this device with peanut butter, flip on the switch, and your device is set to go. A red light will flash once a rat is caught, remove the dead rat, and rebait the device again to go to work for you.

Types of Rat Traps

• Snap Traps.
• Live rat traps.
• Rat glue boards.

Additional information when setting rat traps

1. Rats are intelligent creatures and will not be easily lured into traps, any object that’s new to a rat will cause them to become suspicious and stay clear so the trick to getting rats to bite the bait is to place rat traps in infested areas or the path that rats travel, don’t set the trap as yet. Bait the trap/traps and leave them unset for a day or two so rats will get comfortable this will allow them to feel safe around the trap/traps and not feel threatened. Now that the rat feels comfortable getting that free meal, on the third day bait the trap but this time set it and the rest is history for that rat.

2.  Make sure when selecting traps that you purchase the right size for that uninvited (rat) guest.

3. Never use poison baits indoors because children and pets can come in contact with them and secondly, if the rat dies in your house, can make your home smell terrible with their decaying body.

4. Rats travel along walls because they use their whiskers to sense objects in the dark that are in front of them and the other reason is as long as their whiskers are touching the wall it confirms to them that they are still on the right path. This allows rats to feel like they are protected they only need to worry about danger on the opposite side of them.

5. Use gloves when handling and setting rat traps.

6. No matter what type of traps you’re using always read and follow the manufacturer’s directions on the label for safety and the best results.

Conclusion

Controlling rats indoors takes time and patience especially if there is an infestation but we have you covered, following some of these simple yet effective steps will work for you. Don’t let these disease-carrying rodents take over but take action and strike back with these proven methods that won’t give rats a fighting chance.