Controlling Norway rat infestations is a holistic process that aims to both remove a rat population and prevent future infestations from happening. To this end, several measures will be implemented by a pest control pro. Let’s take a look at what these measures are.
Exclusion
Exclusion methods generally refer to the methods used to prevent rats from entering the home. Also known as “rat-proofing” the home, these methods revolve around ensuring that there are no entry points in the exterior and interior walls of the home large enough for rats to get through. These entry points can be found anywhere from the foundation to the roof of the home, and they are usually sealed with caulk or steel wool. As part of rat-proofing the home, food and garbage are also stored in sealed or lidded containers.
Poisons
Poisons are the most effective form of control against large rat infestations, and they can be broken down into two main categories – anticoagulants and non-anticoagulants. Anticoagulants are poisons that thin the rats’ blood, causing them to die due to internal bleeding. Non-anticoagulants are a group of poisons that have a variety of effects and killing mechanisms, which differ from each other and from anticoagulants. Each of these two categories has several products within them, which have varying degrees of toxicity.
Traps
Traps are also widely used against rat infestations, but they are more effective when the infestations are small. This is because a trap has to be cleaned and reset after it catches one or more rats. When it comes to variety, you have snap traps, glue traps, humane traps and many other types of products on the market.
Ineffective methods
There are plenty of rat control methods out there that are not very effective. One of these methods consists of repellents. While rats do hate certain smells and sounds, there are not really any products on the market that are deterrent enough to prevent rats from taking advantage of the food and the shelter that they find in the home.
In some situations, even tried and tested methods can be ineffective, because rats are smart animals that tend to avoid anything suspicious in their environments. This is why working with the pro is the surest and fastest way to remove an infestation. If you would like to know more about the various rat control methods that you have at your disposal, or if you have a rat infestation that needs to be removed, contact us today.