I have been living in this house for about seven years and never had a serious outside rat problem. Now, there are holes everywhere. In the green house, under the shed, in the bank behind the house and under the step and patio.
My friend, who lives in the Kelligrews area and next to a farm said he caught 10 last year and so far he has caught 9.
A farmer, from Kilbride, told my son to add flower to the peanut butter or whatever we are using on the trap. I tried it today.
Below are some suggestions that I downloaded but if you have any ideas, please feel from to e mail me at steve@sitesnl.com
Dealing with rats effectively involves a combination of prevention, trapping, and extermination methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you trap or get rid of rats efficiently:
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### **1. Identify the Problem**
– **Look for Signs of Rats**:
– Droppings
– Gnaw marks
– Grease marks along walls
– Scurrying noises, especially at night
– Nests made of shredded materials
– **Determine the Scale**: Inspect your home or property to understand how severe the infestation is and where the rats are most active.
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### **2. Seal Entry Points**
– **Block Access**:
– Use steel wool, wire mesh, or caulk to seal holes and cracks larger than 1/4 inch.
– Cover vents and gaps under doors with metal grates or door sweeps.
– Ensure window screens are intact.
– **Eliminate Nesting Areas**:
– Declutter storage spaces.
– Keep vegetation trimmed away from your home.
– Remove piles of debris, wood, or other hiding places.
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### **3. Eliminate Food and Water Sources**
– **Proper Food Storage**:
– Store food in airtight, rat-proof containers.
– Clean up crumbs and spills immediately.
– Don’t leave pet food or birdseed out overnight.
– **Garbage Management**:
– Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
– Dispose of waste regularly.
– **Remove Water Sources**:
– Fix leaking pipes or faucets.
– Don’t leave pet water dishes out overnight.
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### **4. Use Traps**
Traps are effective and non-toxic when used correctly.
– **Snap Traps**:
– Use traditional snap traps for quick and humane killing.
– Place traps along walls where rats travel and near droppings or gnaw marks.
– **Bait**: Peanut butter, nuts, seeds, or pieces of fruit.
– **Live Traps**:
– For those who prefer not to kill rats, live traps can catch them for release far from your home.
– Release at least 1-2 miles away from residential areas.
– **Glue Traps**:
– These are less humane and should be used as a last resort.
– They immobilize the rat, but you’ll need to handle the disposal.
– **Electronic Traps**:
– Use electric shock to kill rats instantly. These are effective, reusable, and less messy.
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### **5. Consider Poison (Use with Caution)**
– **Rodenticides**:
– If the infestation is severe, rodenticides can be effective, but they carry risks to pets, children, and non-target animals.
– Use tamper-proof bait stations to prevent accidental poisoning.
– **Risks**:
– Dead rats may decay in inaccessible areas, causing odor and sanitation issues.
– Secondary poisoning may harm predators or scavengers.
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### **6. Professional Help**
– If the infestation is severe or persists despite your efforts, consider hiring a licensed pest control professional. They can:
– Assess the situation thoroughly.
– Implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
– Use advanced extermination techniques.
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### **7. Long-Term Prevention**
– **Maintain Cleanliness**: Regularly clean and declutter your home.
– **Regular Inspections**: Check for new entry points or signs of activity periodically.
– **Natural Deterrents**:
– Peppermint oil or ammonia-soaked rags may deter rats temporarily.
– Cats can be an effective deterrent in some cases.
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By combining these steps, you can effectively trap or get rid of rats and prevent future infestations. Stay consistent and monitor your progress regularly.