How to Keep Rats Away

Are you okay with having rats on your property? Of course, not. 

Rats are often a homeowner’s worst nightmare. They are messy, chew through ceilings, wiring, and walls. They also carry diseases that can be harmful to you and your family. But keeping them away can prove to be a difficult task, especially in urban areas.

You see, over the past few decades, rat populations have increased near human populations because human dwellings provide rats with all they need – food, water, and shelter. 

Why are Rats a Problem?

Rats carry diseases and viruses that you and your household pets can be exposed to. Besides the health risks, if they make their way into your attic, walls, or any other part of your property, they’re likely to cause a lot of damage with all the chewing they like to do.

So, now that you understand why a rat infestation should be taken seriously, let’s have a look at four easy ways to keep them away.

4 Measures to Take to Keep Rats Away From Your Property

1. Keep Your Home Clean

Rats seem to thrive in messy environments. So, besides just ensuring that the interior of your house is clean, take time to regularly clean your yard – keep your trash to a minimum and clear up any materials in your yard that rats can use to make a shelter, such as plastics and cardboard.

2. Seal Any Possible Entry Points

Unfortunately, a tiny hole in your roof can be an open invitation to a rat that’s looking for a new home. So, carefully inspect your property inside and outside. If you find holes in the walls, gutters, or roof, ensure that you seal them up with strong material such as steel or concrete.

3. Pay Attention to Your Pet’s Food

If rats are around your property, one of the main things they’re looking for is food. Pet food can become an easy target for rats because most people will leave pet food out all day and night. Make sure to clean up after your pets have had their meal. 

Remember that these pets carry harmful diseases, viruses, and parasites. If they go near your pet’s food and your pet eats after them, they may transmit these to your pets.

4. Work With Your Neighbours

If you notice rats on your property, there’s a good chance that your neighbours are also experiencing the same problem. While you can do the above steps and take other preventative measures to try and keep them away, it will be very difficult to be successful if your neighbours aren’t also taking these actions.

So, reach out to your neighbours, discuss this issue, and share tips so that everyone is doing their part to keep the neighbourhood rat-free.

Rats are not the easiest of pests to get rid of. If you see one of them, there is probably a lot more lurking nearby. Take these above measures to keep rats away from your property. If you find yourself already with a rat infestation, your best option is to contact a rat control Cambridge professional who will have the relevant expertise to get rid of these pests quickly from your home.