Rattus norvegicus, also known as the Norway rat or the brown rat, is one of the most common and most dangerous pest species that you can have in your home. Norway rats are known for carrying dozens of dangerous diseases, contaminating food, and destroying the insulation and electrical wiring of a building. This is why you want to avoid a Norway rat infestation as much as possible, and in this article, we’re going to tell you how.
Exclusion methods
Norway rats will enter the home for three reasons: food, shelter and water. Any one of these three reasons is good enough for the rats. As such, the first step when implementing preventive measures is to ensure that entering the home is difficult. Rats will use any holes, cracks or gaps that they can find and fit through to gain entrance, whether these entry points are located near the ground, or whether they are located near the roof. To prevent the rats from entering the home, you will have to seal all these gaps using either steel wool, or some other tough material that the rats will not be able to gnaw through.
You then want to take care of any potential food sources. To start, you must place all your food in sealed containers, including cereals that are in their boxes. You should also seal your pet food, since it can be a main draw for rats. Finally, you want to make sure that you keep your garbage in a lidded can, both indoors and outdoors.
The third thing you have to be careful of is clutter. Clutter offers a safe haven for many pests including rats, so keeping your home clutter-free will lower the risk of an infestation. Make sure that you tidy up your garage, attic, basement and balcony, if you have one.
Dealing with an infestation
To remove a rat infestation you will likely need the help of a pro. Rats are very paranoid animals, and you will need to take an approach that ensures the rats will go for the bait in your traps or poisons. You also have to make sure that an infestation is removed completely, otherwise the rats will just repopulate and you will be left off right where you started. Contact us today if you have a rat infestation and you need professional help to deal with it.