With the crisp air, changing leaves, and promise of the holiday season ahead, autumn is a wonderful time of the year.
But as the temperatures drop, we aren’t the only ones looking forward to being somewhere cosy and warm. Rats and other rodents are also searching for cover, and your house could be their very first choice.
The possibility of a rat infestation makes everyone uncomfortable. The good news is that you can keep your home free from these unpleasant visitors with just a few calculated moves.
There’s still time to ensure that this autumn, your house stays in a rodent-free zone. Let’s explore how you can stop a rat infestation before it even begins.
Why Rats Prefer Your Home During Autumn
Naturally, animals flee the cold. Food supplies ‘in the wild’ become limited during this time. Unfortunately for us, rats find our homes to be a warm, food-filled paradise.
As opportunistic animals, rats will grab any chance to locate warmth and food. A rat can smell something yummy from your kitchen, be it the food you just cooked or neglected crumbs forgotten in the corner of your kitchen.
Examine and Seal Entry Points
Sealing any possible access points comes first in rodent-proofing your house.
Rats are infamous for locating the tiniest openings and fissures through which to pass. Look first for cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation of the building. Look for any wear around pipes or power lines entering your house, as rats can use these areas to enter.
They can eat through softer materials, so seal little cracks with caulk or steel wool. The latter, in particular, works great since rats can’t chew through it.
Expanding foam or hardware cloth can also be used to build a solid barrier for bigger gaps, particularly near utility lines. And since rats are climbers, don’t forget to check the high places like chimneys, vents, and roofs.
Maintain Food-Free Zones and Cleanliness in Your Home
Any easily accessed food source will draw rats inside. They’re scavengers and will gladly feast on crumbs, pet food, and even things like paper and cloth.
First, make sure food is stored correctly and your kitchen is spotless. Keep pet food, grains, cereals, and other foods in airtight containers.
Steer clear of keeping unclean dishes out overnight. In addition, regularly sweep or hoover to eliminate crumbs. Don’t overlook less obvious areas, such as behind appliances or in the rear of cabinets.
Apart from food, ensure that trash is locked in tightly fitting lids of bins. Rats are infamous for rummaging among waste. Hence, regular garbage disposal and bin cleaning are absolutely important.
Keep your compost pile as far from your house as you can, and use a rat-proof container. Rats can also be drawn to outdoor food sources, so pay attention to pet bowls and bird feeders left outside.
Keep Your Yard Up to Date
Rats can find an overgrown garden to be a welcome invitation. They find great hiding spots and even nesting sites in piles of leaves, trash, and untrained bushes. Spend some time clearing your garden and removing any places rats could hide as the temperature cools.
Cut back any trees or shrubs near your house since rats can use them as access points to your attic and roof. Stack firewood up off the ground at least twenty feet away from your house. Rats like to nest in wood piles, so keeping them near your house will provide them with simple access.
Rats are omnivores, and they’ll eat rotten fruit as well. So, if you have fruit trees, take great care when gathering dropped fruit.
Maintaining a neat and clean garden will help in decreasing its allure to rats.
Making Traps a Last Resort
So, what should you do if rats have already found a way in despite your best efforts?
From classic snap traps to live traps, there are several kinds on hand that let you capture and release rodents far from your house. When setting them, concentrate on places you’ve observed evidence of rat activity, such as droppings or gnaw marks.
Bait the traps with something appealing like peanut butter and check them regularly.
Although traps are quite successful, they are a temporary fix. You can find yourself dealing with repeated infestations if the underlying cause of the problem is neglected, which is how the rats entered initially.
Actions to Take Should You Think There Is an Infestation
Rats can find their way into your house even with all these steps. Early recognition of the indicators of a rat infestation will help you respond quickly.
Common signs include droppings, especially in cabinets or behind furniture in secret spots.
However, there can be other evidence left behind. Finding gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, or electrical wiring could be your clue. In addition, hearing scratching noises in the walls or ceiling, particularly at night, signals their presence.
Finally, finding grease traces from their bodies along flooring or walls is a sign, as well as rats scurrying about.
If you observe any of these signs, take quick action. It can be time to contact an exterminator.
Pest Control Services
Contact a professional pest control company if you want to make sure your efforts at rodent-proofing are as exhaustive as they should be.
In addition, if you’re dealing with a major rat invasion, trying to handle it on your own can be not only ineffective but also dangerous.
Rats proliferate fast, destroy your property and spread disease. Furthermore, they may also cause electrical fires since they chew on wires in your property. Needless to say, that’s another major safety hazard which shouldn’t be ignored.
Pest control businesses have the tools and knowledge required to properly handle infestations before they get out of hand. So relying on expert help can save a lot of time and aggravation, especially if rats have already found residence in your abode.
Conclusion
It’s easy to forget that we’re not the only ones looking for warmth as the temperatures drop and we start to appreciate the nice autumnal vibe.
Rats and other rodents are also looking for a warm location to huddle down for the winter, and your house can be their perfect place. However, you can prevent their presence by following some preventive measures.
Now, savour your pumpkin spice latte in peace, knowing that unwelcome furry guests are kept off your house.
