Smell a rat in your home? Seen one? Not good, but not that uncommon either.
Rats are one of the most frequently seen pest species in Bradford, Leeds, and any other urban area across Yorkshire for that matter.
They might be pretty common, but they aren’t a pretty sight for a property owner and you do need to act fast if you want to get rid of the rats in your home.
These menaces don’t hang around when it comes to breeding, spreading diseases and gnawing through your belongings, so you can’t be hanging around either when it comes to dealing with them.
Harvey Environmental Bradford are one of the biggest names in the pest control industry in the North of England so it is no surprise that many of the jobs we work on every day involve rats and other rodents.
We have decided that now is the perfect time to share some of our secrets to success and give you some of our top tips for getting rid of rats and keeping them out for good.
5 step guide to getting rid of rats
Step 1 – Make sure you are dealing with rats
Every pest is different, and every pest needs a different approach to get rid of them.
Before you get started, you need to make sure it is actually rats you are dealing with. Given that rats are nocturnal and favour dark and dingy spaces such as attics, wall cavities, and basements, it is not always easy to catch sight of one in the flesh.
If you haven’t look out for any of the following common signs of rats:
- Black or brown cylindrical dropping pellets
- Dust or grime marks along the skirting board
- Gnaw marks or gnaw holes
- Scuffling or scrabbling sounds coming from the walls.
- Piles of shredded paper or insulation (Potential rat nest alert)
Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure what pest species you are facing is to call in a pro, unless you have physically seen one.
Step 2 – Remove anything that could attract a rat
Rats are a lot like us. They like food, shelter, warmth, and peace and quite. Remove as many of these as possible from your home by maintaining a high level of hygiene in the property.
Make sure all plates are washed and cleared after use, take out the garbage and store it properly, and keep your garden clutter free.
Step 3 – Fill in the gaps
Rats and mice squeeze through all sorts of small gaps. Fill as many as possible with filler or steel wool to prevent them gaining access.
Step 4 – Call the pros
If you already have a rat problem, calling in the professionals is the only way to know for sure they are gone.
Step 5- Make changes
Once you are rid of your rat issues, its time to make sure they don’t happen twice.
Follow the tips above to do just that!