What is the most effective pest control for rats?

When it comes to rat control, for complete peace of mind, it may just be easier for yourself to hire a pest control professional, that has been exterminating rats for a very long time. Rat control proffessionals tend to have a very high success rate and also provide free of charge bext practices and knowledge to their customers. Typically, hiring a professional will cost you somewhere around £100-£150 for a one or two bedroom house in the UK. These prices may move up to £150-£250 for three to four bedroom houses. The average rat control quote tends to be about £180. Regardless, if you are keen on eliminating or getting rid of the rats yourself then you have come to the correct place!

How to get rid of rats? (Overview)

Firstly, getting rid of rats doesn't just mean exterminating them, rather you could also capture the rats and release them into your enemies homes; two birds one stone (we're joking, please don't do this). However, you could release the rats into a bushy/woody area, or near a river.

1. Sealing off cracks and holes (We reccomend you skip this step)
2. Choosing a rat trap
3. Baiting the rats into the trap
4. Disposing of the trapped/exterminated rats
5. Preventing further infestation

1.Sealing off entry points ("proofing")

CAUTION: First and foremost, proofing is an entire process itself, it is intensive. Hiring a pest control company, to proof your house for you can cost upwards of £500. Also you need to be careful, as the materials used for proofing are flammable. This means you need to be extremely careful when proofing around electrical wiring, if you are not careful it can result in a fire. WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU SKIP THIS STEP.

A hole or crack, about the size of a £2 coin in the UK, is suffient for rats to gain access to your property. Holes and cracks through which rats could gain access to your property are called entry points. When it comes to becoming rat free, you must look for these entry points in and around your home and then seal them.

So how do I look for these entry points?

Pay attention to:

• Pipes and vents going into your home
• Openings at the foundation around your house
• Doorways and windowsills
• Utility lines that enter the building
• Attics and basements

How do I seal off these entry points?

Rats can nibble their way through many materials. When it comes you proofing your home, you have to make sure that rats are unable to get through the material you use to fill the cracks or holes that you have found. Materials for proofing are:

• Steel wool
• Caulk (pronounced "cauk")
• Steel Mesh
• Foam

2.Choosing a rat trap

There are two types of rat traps you can choose from: baited and unbaited traps. Baited traps use food or poison to lure the rat into the trap. Unbaited traps, don't use food or poison as bait but rely on the rats natural curiosity and movement patterns to work effectively.

Baited traps

• Snap traps: These traditional traps have a bait pedal or bait cup to attract rats, triggering the mechanism when they attempt to retrieve the bait.
• Glue traps: These traps use a sticky adhesive to capture rats lured by bait placed on the surface.
• Poison bait traps: These traps contain poison bait that attracts rats and leads to their ingestion of the lethal substance.

Unbaited traps

• Snap traps (unbaited): Some snap traps can be used without bait, relying on the rat's natural curiosity and movement patterns to trigger the trap.
• Electric traps: These traps deliver a lethal shock to rats when they enter the trap, without the need for bait. The electric charge is activated when the rodent completes the circuit by touching two electrodes within the trap.
• Live catch traps: These traps capture rats without harming them, using mechanisms such as doors or cages to detain the rodents once they enter, typically through a one-way entry system.

The choice is yours

You can either have the rat exterminated as soon as they enter the trap or you could trap them humanely and then release them elsewhere far from your home.

Electric traps and live catch traps are more expensive than traditional snap,poison or glue traps.

3.Baiting the rats

When it comes to baiting the rats, you can do this with either rat poison or with normal foods, which rats are attracted to.

Normal foods you can use as bait

Rats are attracted to a variety of food sources, so there are several baits that can be effective in luring them into traps. Some common baits include:

• Peanut butter: This highly aromatic and oily substance is a favorite bait for rats due to its strong scent and attractive taste.
• Cheese: While the stereotypical image of using cheese as rat bait is not always the most effective, some rats may still be attracted to the scent and taste of certain types of cheese.
• Bacon or other fatty meats: Rats are drawn to the smell of fatty meats like bacon, making them effective baits for traps.
• Seeds or nuts: Rats are natural foragers and are attracted to seeds and nuts like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or almonds.
• Fruits: Sweet fruits like bananas, apples, or berries can also be enticing to rats, especially if they are ripe and fragrant.

Poisonous bait

Poison baits are commonly used for rat extermination, but they should be used with caution due to the potential risks they pose to humans, pets, and non-target wildlife. Some types of poisonous baits for rat extermination include:

• Anticoagulant rodenticides: These types of poisons interfere with the rat's blood clotting ability, causing internal bleeding and eventual death. Common anticoagulant rodenticides include warfarin, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, and difethialone.
• Acute toxicants: These poisons act quickly to kill rats after ingestion. Examples include zinc phosphide, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and bromethalin.
• First-generation rodenticides: These poisons are typically less toxic than second-generation rodenticides but can still be effective. They work by disrupting the rat's nervous system. Common first-generation rodenticides include chlorophacinone and diphacinone.

When using poisonous baits, it's crucial to follow all safety instructions provided by the manufacturer and to place the baits in tamper-resistant bait stations to prevent accidental ingestion by children, pets, or non-target animals. Additionally, it's important to monitor bait stations regularly, remove any dead rats promptly, and dispose of unused baits properly to minimize environmental contamination and reduce the risk of secondary poisoning to other animals. If unsure about how to use poison baits safely and effectively, it's recommended to consult with a pest control professional.

4.Disposing of rats

You can either dispose of rats once they have been exterminated, or you could dispose of rats after they have been captured alive.

Disposing of dead rat

In the UK, the proper disposal of dead rats is important to prevent the spread of disease and to maintain hygiene standards. Here are some guidelines for disposing of dead rats:

1. Wear gloves and other protective clothing when handling dead rats to avoid direct contact and potential contamination.
2. Use a shovel, tongs, or other tools to pick up the dead rat and place it in a sturdy plastic bag.
3. Seal the plastic bag securely to prevent leakage or odors.
4. Place the bagged rat in an outdoor rubbish bin with a secure lid to deter scavengers and prevent access by pets or wildlife.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling the dead rat or any contaminated materials.
6. If you're unsure about how to dispose of dead rats or if you have a large infestation, consider contacting your local council or a licensed pest control professional for guidance and assistance.

Disposing of living rat

If you've caught a live rat in a trap and need to dispose of it in the UK, it's essential to handle the situation with care and consideration for both the rat's welfare and your own safety. Here's how you can responsibly dispose of a trapped living rat:

1. Safety precautions: Put on gloves and other protective clothing to minimize direct contact with the rat and reduce the risk of bites or scratches. Remember that trapped rats may be stressed or frightened, so handle them gently and calmly.
2. Assess the rat: Determine whether the rat is injured or unharmed. If it's injured, consider contacting a local animal welfare organization or a pest control professional for advice on humane euthanasia options
3. You should release the rat into wooded areas, fields, meadows, rural areas, nature reserves, farmland or orchards. However make sure where ever you release the rat, you have permission from the relevant authorities of that area.
4. Open the trap: Carefully open the trap door or release mechanism, ensuring that you maintain a safe distance from the rat's escape path to prevent accidental contact.
5. Clean and disinfect: After releasing the rat, clean and disinfect the trap according to the manufacturer's instructions to remove any traces of scent or contamination that may deter other rats from entering the trap in the future.

5.Preventing further infestation

Preventing further rat infestation without proofing your house requires a combination of proactive measures aimed at deterring rats and reducing attractants. Here are some strategies you can implement:

1. Remove food sources: Store food in sealed containers, including pet food and bird seed, to eliminate potential food sources for rats. Clean up food spills promptly and avoid leaving food scraps or crumbs in accessible areas.
2. Proper waste management: Ensure that garbage bins have tight-fitting lids and are emptied regularly. Keep compost bins securely covered and avoid composting meat or dairy products, which can attract rats.
3. Reduce clutter: Declutter indoor and outdoor areas to eliminate hiding spots and nesting sites for rats. Remove piles of debris, unused equipment, and overgrown vegetation where rats can hide or build nests.
4. Regular cleaning: Keep your home clean and tidy to remove potential rat attractants such as food residue, grease, and crumbs. Clean up spills promptly and regularly vacuum floors and surfaces.
5. Minimize water sources: Fix leaky faucets, pipes, and drains to eliminate sources of standing water that rats may use for drinking. Ensure that outdoor water features like birdbaths are cleaned and maintained regularly.
6. Secure entry points: While you mentioned not proofing your house, it's still essential to address any obvious entry points such as gaps around doors and windows, vents, or utility penetrations. Use temporary measures like door sweeps or weather stripping to seal gaps until permanent repairs can be made.
7. Trapping: Implement a trapping program using live catch traps or snap traps strategically placed along rat pathways or near entry points. Check traps regularly and dispose of captured rats promptly.
8. Natural deterrents: Consider using natural repellents such as peppermint oil, mothballs, or ammonia-soaked rags placed in areas where rats are active. However, keep in mind that the effectiveness of these methods may vary.

Conclusion

If you try the above guidance steps to get rid of a rat infestation but nothing works, then feel free to call our company at 03301336468. Professional pest control exterminators have a high success rate and allot of experience when it comes to dealing with pests in the UK. Thank you for reading this post and good luck!