A Guest or a Pest? Top 4 Ways to Get Rid of Rats

A Guest or a Pest? Top 4 Ways to Get Rid of Rats

You got a visitor! But this one is what you never expect and quite what you want to get rid of. Rats. 

In the US, there are two common types of rats. Norway rats and roof rats. No. This will not be talking about differentiating a good mouse from a bad mouse. When you say rat, except that they do more harm, rarely good. These are those who got rat control experts to work on their sleeves, to exterminate. 

Differentiating the type of pest lurking in your neighborhood will help you to exterminate them effectively. Knowing their looks lets you know how it will influence their behavior. If you live in another location, there are rats FAQs and myths you can check at https://www.ratrelief.com/ and info about other pests. Following them and catching them into your trap will be no fuss.

So how? This article is made for you. 

How do they look like?

Before you get the top 3 essential ways to rid of rats, learn this necessary skill to differentiate roof rat from Norway rat.

Characteristics of the fur

Roof rats, also called ship rats, have shiny darker, black fur. Sometimes the shade goes from gray to grayish-black, then solid black. Roof rats got a grayish or whitish belly.

On the other hand, Norway rats have reddish-brown and brown tones in their furs. Most of them have a gray belly. The coats are also coarse in texture.

Body features

When you see a slender, limber moving rat, it is a roof rat. Norway rats, meanwhile, are more robust looking. 

Ears also differentiate them. Roof rats have rounder, more prominent ears that you can cover their eyes with them. Then the other has tiny ears and pointed.

The tails are longer for roof rats, while Norway rat is bigger and displays shorter tail than the length of their body.

Social Behavior

Roof rats are above ground dwellers. They love climbing, but they can also be seen underground, only at minimal times. Norway rats are mostly underground dwellers and love living in colonies. They are also the ones you see burrowing through walls and cabinets in your homes.

Rat Riddance

Now you know what your unwanted guests look like, you can avoid them. Here are the 4 ways you can shoo the mouse away.

1- Prioritize Cleaning, Sanitize.

There is no more effective way to eradicate pests than sanitizing the area. The leading cause of rat infestation is they are attracted to your place. What attracts them? Untidiness, flowing garbage, unorganized storage where they can creep in corners and find food. 

So, number one, inspect your place. Your living room and kitchen might be tidy but have you checked the attic? How about the basement? Rats are pests that will do anything and burrow on walls just to get to your pantry or closet ad destroy whatever you store. 

Further, this list will include trapping rats. Later it will be discussed. But the most important thing first, clean your place. It will not be enough just to trap one rodent. You have to turn your place around. Clean and organize everything. 

2- Trapping. Gotta Catch them ALL!

Second on the list is using various available rat traps. The key here is knowing who your target is. Knowing the places they prefer makes it easy for you to position the trap.

A roof rat dominates coastal areas in the US since they prefer a temperate climate, and they also love climbing on the roofs. While Norway rats, most popularly known as sewer rats, dominate the US’s central, cooler parts. As the name also suggests, they love going under sewage systems. Now you know where to expect your “guest.”

Using traps can catch the large hunting rats. Capturing them weakens the potential of their young surviving. 

Changing the traps can also lead to successful trapping of roof rats. They get curious about changing the environment. They get attracted easily when seeing new objects in their environment. 

3- Baiting. Make them expect not to suspect.

Rats display social behaviors. They can also be curious and intuitive, Especially if hunting food is their goal. Survival is also their instinct. Baiting is a lesser preferred way than trapping. 

Baiting a rat, you have to be smarter than their next move. Once you exposed them to a trap, they may get suspicious next time. This time change your tactic. Offer this visitor a bait.

Mixing rodenticide in food that attracts them is an effective way to rid them. However, this is less preferred by homeowners because it involves using poisonous chemicals. There is a risk of harming the people in your homes or buildings if exposed to the poison. 

An important tip, keep rodenticides in proper storage. If used correctly, this will be an effective solution. Then, have a good strategy. The problem with using a pesticide or poisonous solution is that it leaves the body lying somewhere you cannot find. Thus odor leaks ad its harmful to your health, especially at homes. 

Make sure you are familiar with the rat’s identity you’re after for and be able to follow their traces.

4- Exclusion. Don’t let them come in.

Here is the fourth and final way that effectively drives this guest away. They won’t come knocking at your door and wait for you to open it for them. Besides, you don’t’ have to.

You don’t’ want this guest messing around your properties at any time so exclude them. If your neighborhood maintains cleanliness regularly, there is a high probability never of meeting them at your roots, rooms, stairs, and doorsteps. 

A conventional way to exclude rats is by keeping a cat at home. They are highly skilled in trapping and catching sneaky rodents. Plus, they are pro-environment too. Making the natural ecological cycle works. Though, the problem is not everyone can handle cats.

As mentioned at #1, prioritize cleaning. As you successfully do this, seclude your home. Seal entryways like a vent. The Backdoor should always be kept closed. Windows are sturdy, and no tiny holes or cracks are exposed. They may use this as a spot to enter. So beware and pay total care.

It is wise to use rodenticide as your last resort. The best way is to sanitize. Make a good look at your surrounding. Have a thorough inspection of where the rodents make their dwelling. Then if you recognize that the presence of your guest is starting to breed infestation, seek help from rat exterminators.