How to Get Rid of Rats In Your Home (And Keep Them Away)

More rats are affecting Canadian citizens than ever before. Getting rid of these rats can be very stressful and seemingly impossible.

Are pesky rodents wreaking havoc in your home? Don’t feel overwhelmed! Here are some ways that you can get those rats out of your home permanently, protecting the well-being of you and your family.

Rat Traps

When asking how to get rid of rats, the most common answer homeowners come to is through rat traps. You can purchase rat traps at your local hardware store, or you can make your own.

If you are squeamish, you should make or purchase a covered rat trap that indicates to you that a rat has been captured.

However, rat traps are not always effective, and they may not be a good solution if you feel like you are dealing with a rat infestation. The tricky thing about rat traps is knowing where to put them.

Placing them near sources of food is a good option, but the rats may be able to find a way around them.

Natural Repellent Techniques

There are some natural repellents that you can use if you think you have rats in your home. Onions, peppers, and bay leaves are great rat repellents because of their strong smell.

While rats despise the smell of onions and peppers, they are actually attracted to bay leaf, unaware that the leaf is extremely toxic for them. These natural repellents are much safer than poison if you have pets in your home, though you should still keep them away from infested areas.

Don’t Feed Them

It’s unlikely that you are intentionally feeding the rats, but you could be unwittingly giving them access to food sources in your home.

Take your garbage out as soon as it is full, and make sure it is closed or sealed at all times. Don’t leave any bags or containers of food open on your kitchen countertop or your fridge and pantry.

Wash your dirty dishes as prompt as possible. In general, you should try to keep your entire house clear of food debris at all times.

Cover Entryways

The only permanent solution for rats in your home is sealing up their points of entry. Look for small holes in your walls that lead to the outside.

You’ll know if rats are using these holes to go in and out of your home if there are droppings littered around the area. Steel wool is the best method for blocking these entryways, as the rats cannot chew through them like other materials.

How To Get Rid of Rats? Hire a Professional

But even if you are able to rat-proof your home and seal up entryways, the rats can easily find another way to burrow into your home, especially if they are desperate for food.

Consider hiring a professional that can show you how to get rid of rats once and for all. For more information on how to hire a professional exterminator for your home, please contact us!