How To Get Rid of Rats

Setting the Scene 

Picture this. 

You're settling in for a cosy evening at home when you hear it – the unmistakable scurry of tiny feet in your walls. Your heart sinks as you realise you've got unwanted guests – rats.

Rats are a bit like having a teenager sat upstairs playing video games, you can't see them, but you can hear them. Now let's be honest, the rats won't make as much mess as a teenager, or cause as much continuous stress, but they can be a real pain! 

Dealing with a rat infestation can be unsettling and downright frustrating, but fear not! 

In this blog, we will be handing out all the tips to keep those pesky vermin away, from 10 tips to rodent proof your home, to signs that you have a rat infestation and how to keep the rats away for good...let's scuttle on in. 

Prevention: How to Keep the Rats Away

Nobody wants little pests taking over their space.

But don't worry, there are a couple of things that you can do to keep them out.

Step 1: Sanitation: 'Cleanliness is next to godliness', or so the saying goes...and this is very much the case when it comes to effective ways of preventing rats creeping onto your property. If there is food always make sure to....

• Wipe down surfaces 
• Clean down outdoor eating areas. 
• Clean your bin regularly. 

Step 2: Waste Management: Keeping on top of your waste is crucial to get on top of a rat problem before it gets out of hand. If proper waste management isn't carried out, before you know it, the rats will be moving in around your home or garden...and nobody wants that! 

When managing your household waste make sure to always...

• Regularly dispose of rubbish.
• Manage Pet Waste.
• Secure your bins. 

10 Tips to Rodent Proof Your Home

These little critters can scurry their way into just about anything, so we don't think a 240 litre bin is troubling them. 

Your range of wheeled fortresses are quite efficient at keeping rats out though, just as long as you keep the lid firmly closed & you avoid overfilling. An overfilled bin is heaven to a rat. 

Here are 10 ways of keeping out the rats in your home:

1. Seal Entry Points - Close off any potential entry points where the rats could sneak in. By keeping all entry points sealed, you discourage rats from entering your property.  
2. Regular Bin Checks - Check your bins regularly for any splits, cracks or leaks. Rats only need little holes and cracks to wriggle on into your garden. 
3. Secure Compost Bins - Conduct routine inspections of your bins to ensure they're tightly sealed and free of cracks or damage that could provide access to rats.
4. Trim Overgrown Greenery - Just like you have to tend to your own private garden, your home garden needs trimming too...rats are commonly attracted to overgrown gardens and shrubbery. 
5. Regular Pest Inspections - Regularly check nooks and cranny's around your home for any signs of unwanted pests. 
6. Fix Leaks Quickly - Standing water can attracts rats and mice, so make sure to always fix leaks quickly. 
7. Keep Food Sealed - Keep your food sealed. Not only does this help it to stay fresh, but it also stops any smells around the home, which will help deter rats. 
8. Use Rodent Repellents - Rodent repellents are a great way to get rid of rats as quickly as a click of your fingers. These do exactly what they say on the tin, and help to repel and keep the rats away. 
9. Remove Clutter - Get your spring clean on. Remove clutter and declutter around your home and outside your house. Rats hate clean houses without places to hide and sneak around. 
10. Professional Pest Control - When all else fails, search around for enlist the help of a professional pest controller service to assess the situation for rat control and remove them away from your home safely. 

Identification: Tell-Tale signs that rats are about 

We aren't talking about the Mafia days, where little Tony and Paulie 4 eyes inform you that there is a rat in the family that needs taking care of. This is a little bit different. 

Without police chatter, rumours and a full undercover operation...how do you spots signs of a rat infestation?

You first need to know what you're looking out for. 

Types of Rats in the UK: 

Brown Rat: This is the most common rat and is typically found in urban and rural areas. 

Black Rat: Also called the ship rat, the black rat is less common in the UK compared to the brown rat. Black rats are often associated with ports and shipping areas.

Tell-Tale Signs:

• Droppings: Rat droppings are a clear indication of their presence. Brown rat droppings are larger and darker in colour, while black rat droppings are smaller.
• Gnaw Marks: Rats have a constant need to gnaw to keep their teeth from growing too long. Look for gnaw marks on wood, plastic, or electrical wiring.
• Nesting Materials: Rats use materials like shredded paper, fabric, and plant matter to build nests. Finding these materials in dark, secluded areas of your property is a sign of rat activity.
• Tracks: Rats often leave footprints or tail marks in dusty or muddy areas. Look for tracks along walls, baseboards, or in outdoor spaces.

Health & Safety Risks

• Diseases: Rats carry all sorts of diseases, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with urine, droppings, or saliva.
• Structural Damage: As rats love to gnaw at things, they can easily work their way into a vital part of your house meaning costly repairs.
• Contamination:  Rats pose risk of contaminating all your food and water through their droppings or urine. That is one raisin you wouldn't like to eat off the floor. 

Rodent Control

When it comes to rodent control, it is important that you choose the best type of service for yourself and your beliefs. 

There are humane traps and ways of releasing them, or you could look at a professional extermination method...the end goal is always the same, to get those little rats away from your home or business! 

DIY Traps: You could use Wooden Traps, Snap Traps or Glue Boards as an effective way to catch the vermin.

You can find plenty of vids on how to do this on Youtube: 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+build+a+rat+trap

Humane Traps (Catch & Release): Use humane traps to catch rats without harming them, using live traps or catch-and-release methods. Once caught, rats can be released into suitable outdoor environments away from human habitation.

Natural Repellents: Peppermint Oils, Moth Balls, or even Predator Urine (We aren't talking about the Movie Killer). All these items when placed near entry points around your home or business, can be an effective way to get rid of rats. 

Professional Extermination Methods: If you want to eliminate the rats once and for all, there are various exterminators out there, where they will use rat bait, rat poison or other chemical treatments to eliminate rats quickly and remove rats from your home. 

When Do You Call in Pest Control 

If you find that the problem is really getting out of hand, and that it is getting too much to handle on your own, then it is time to call in the Pest Controllers. 

Make sure to always use a Pest Control Service who are fully qualified and certified, and research local companies to compare reviews. 

Local Contract Details:

Youngs Pest Control - https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/youngspestcontrol.co.uk

Pestforce - https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/pestforcestockport

FAQ's

Do Rats Carry Diseases? They carry plenty of them and we aren't just talking about general flu or a bit of an headache, some of these diseases can be brutal and even fatal: 

Leptospirosis: This can cause flu-like symptoms, kidney damage, and in severe cases, organ failure.

Salmonellosis: Causes symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Hantavirus: Can lead to severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, be fatal.

Rat-Bite Fever: Transmitted through rat bites or scratches, causing symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and rash.

Plague: While rare, rats can carry fleas infected with the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which can cause bubonic plague in humans.

What are Super Rats? These aren't rats that scuttle around with superhero capes, flying around saving old ladies from burning buildings. Think more on the villain scale of things. These rats have actually evolved over time and developed a resistance to common rodent poisons and exhibit behaviours that make them more difficult to control, as they also learn how to avoid rat traps. 

Does Poison Work on Rats? Sure, rat poison can work wonders when it comes to getting rid of those pesky rodents. However, it might not be the top choice in certain situations, especially, if the rats may scurry onto your food. Plus, just throwing some poison around won't solve the problem for good. 

It's a quick solution, yes, but that quick solution could end up causing more harm than good to humans, pets, and wildlife.

To Summarise 

By using the tips and tricks above, you can fortify your home against an army of rats like nobody else. 

At Busy Bins, we understand the importance of maintaining a clean and pest free environment around your home and business. Bin Collection & Junk Removals play a vital part in keeping your gardens secure. 

By ensuring timely and efficient waste removal services, we can keep your bins smell free, and surroundings clutter-free, reducing the risk of rat infestations. 

Here are a few reasons why you should use us for your recycling and waste management:

• Fully Accredited & Licensed
• 12 months contracts / No Auto-Renewal
• Dispose of waste correctly! No Landfill! All your rubbish is sent to an Waste to Energy facility to ensure your care home is as environmentally friendly as ever.
• Speedy, reliable service - Turn up when we say we are going too!
• Junk Removal & Skip Hire Service - Ideal for keeping on top of the rubbish piling up. 
• If you wish to see any of our legal documentation then please email binfo@busybins.co.uk and we will be happy to provide copies of this. Our waste carriers licence number is CB/DU222271 for any online checks you wish to carry out.

Don't just take our word for it though, throughout our 9 years of being in business, we have received over 1000 verified customers reviews who have rated us 4.9 out of 5 on our service & we have never been put on report!

To have a peek out our reviews, click here: https://busybins.co.uk/reviews

So come and take part in the service with a smile.

Ready to revolutionise your care home's waste management? Contact us today at: www.busybins.co.uk