FIVE TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR HOME RODENT-FREE
Eliminate entrance points
Homeowners should ensure there are no holes or openings around the exteriors of their homes, from the base to about 1.5 metres high. Drainage holes and all vents should be properly secured to keep rats out. Garage doors should have no cracks or gaps at the bottom. “If there’s a gap, the rat freely walks into your garage seeking shelter,” said Daniel Mackie of GreenLeaf Pest Control.
Prevent clutter from becoming rat shelter
Debris piling up can create shelter for rats, making them feel at home. Store garbage in rodent-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. Mackie advises keeping vegetation at least a foot away from the house. “If there’s flowers or there’s vines or if you have lots of long grasses right next to your house, it encourages these guys to feel protected travelling along the foundation of your home,” he said.
Beware of food sources
Rats need food and water to survive. Carlo Panacci of Cain Pest Control said many people don’t have a rat problem until they set up birdfeeders. “The birds mess up the seed on the ground, and the rats come out and start eating it,” he said. People with birdfeeders should clean them out at the end of the day so no mess forms overnight, providing rats with an early morning feast.
Set up traps
If you think there are rats in your home already, there’s no better way to eliminate them yourself than with rat traps. Panacci advises to use peanut better for bait. “You have to be very careful because (the traps) can break your fingers. And you have also be absolutely certain there’s no chance that any children or pets can get close to it because they’ll be in serious danger,” he said. Avoid using poison to kill rats, otherwise they may die somewhere inaccessible, making your house and clothing smell terrible for weeks.
Communicate with neighbours
Often times a rat problem may not be isolated to one household. Talking with your neighbours can be a more effective way of managing the issue than tackling it alone. “Typically it’s not just you,” Mackie said. “If you can get the neighbours engaged as well, it goes a long way in helping with rat control.” Sammy Hudes