Tips For Deterring Rats From Your Property

Rats carry diseases and can cause significant damage to your property, including chewing through electrical wires. They are relatively common pests and can nest in gardens, wall cavities, subfloors and roofs. There are several steps you can take to deter rats from your property, so if you don't like the idea of rat droppings on your kitchen counters and holes in your sofa, read on.

Eliminate Gaps

Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces and often gain entry into homes through cracks and gaps around pipes, windows and door frames. They will also nest in outbuildings if they can get access. So, it's a good idea to walk around your property and look for potential entry points. Gaps should be sealed off with wire wool and cement, which will prevent rats from clawing their way through to their nesting site.

Keep Your Garden Tidy

Gardens can be attractive nesting sites for rats, as they often have at least one area that would make a good nesting site and there's often easy access to food. Leaf piles, overgrown flowerbeds, open compost heaps and stacked wood are all attractive environments for rats looking to set up a nesting site. Keep your garden free of debris and don't let any areas become overgrown. Cover open compost heaps with wire mesh to prevent rats digging in it and prevent them accessing it for food. It's also wise to bag your household rubbish before putting it in the bin and keep your bin lids on your bin at all times.

Limit Loose Bird Feed

If you enjoy feeding the birds in your garden, make sure you're not leaving loose birdseed for rats to feast on. Don't throw birdseed across your grass or garden patio, as this will attract rats. Instead, opt to put birdseed in a feeder positioned high above the ground and consider switching to fat balls instead of loose bird feed to limit how much feed falls onto the ground below the feeder. You could also store the feeder in an outbuilding overnight, as this is when rats are most active. Check around your feeder regularly for signs of rats, such as droppings, and refrain from feeding birds until any infestation is dealt with.

If you do find some unwelcome visitors have moved into your property, contact a pest control professional. Rats have developed a resistance to some rodenticides that can be purchased by the general public, so pest control companies use a mix of traps and commercial-grade rodenticides to tackle infestations. For more information on rat control, contact a professional near you.