Rats are unwelcome visitors that cause bacterial infections and diseases. Thus it is vital to get rid of them safely and as quickly as possible. Other than home remedies, you can consider Lubbock animal control because they specialize in removing rodents and other nuisances.
Signs to Recognize Infestation of a Rat
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Smell and sound
Rats usually have a strong ammonia smell that makes it easy to tell. Besides, they are noisy and typically make scrabbling noises when they move around the house.
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Droppings
Rats excrete dark, pellet-like droppings. So you might find them in the entry points or around holes created in the house.
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Damages
These types of rodents chew electric cables, which can be very dangerous. And the problem is that it is difficult to spot. In addition, they gnaw marks, damage storage containers, and shred papers.
How to Get Rid of Rats at Home
Before considering Lubbock animal control, you can consider some steps to help minimize the infestation.
1. Sealing of Gaps
Rats can get into your house through exterior holes. So it is essential to seal them with metal kick plates, wire wool, or cement. They can as well enter through damaged drains. It is, therefore, crucial to ensure that the gutters are well-maintained and checked from time to time.
2. Cleaning and Decluttering of Items
Moving objects away from the walls is vital to see what is hiding behind them. With less clutter, rats will have fewer places to hide. You should also ensure that the waste is kept in closed bins, and drains should be cleaned and checked regularly.
3. Do Away with Potential Food Sources
This is done by storing dry foods in tightly sealed containers, ensuring food is not left on the counters, and any spillage should be cleaned immediately.
4. Keeping the Garden Clean
It is essential to keep your garden clean by tidying up the debris and the wood piles. There is a possibility of rats nesting in such sites.
Simple and Cost-effective Home Remedies that Can Aid in Doing Away with Rats
- Using scents such as peppermint can keep rats away. Rats do not like the smell of peppermint. So having peppermint oil on the cotton wool balls at the corners of your home can aid in keeping away the rats. Consider replacing this after every few days to help in keeping them off.
- Creating a bait station to trap the rat. This can be implemented through foods like nuts and dried fruits. Or instead using the traditional rat trap.
- Sprinkling crushed pepper or spaying the pepper spray on the openings and the holes.
When to Contact a Professional Exterminator
When you find an already established infestation, you will require professional help from Lubbock animal control. You can sometimes pick a rat poison from a pest control store, which can be ineffective and dangerous. So it is essential to consider contacting Lubbock animal control because they have access to a variety of products used in managing poison-resistant rats.
Conclusion
It can be very hectic to get rid of rats in your home. With the failure of home remedies, it is best to go for an insured and trained pest control company like Lubbock animal control. They will help protect other non-target species as well as give advice on how to stop rats from coming back to your property.
