How to Prevent Rats from Getting Into Your House

So your worst nightmare happened. A rat got into your house. Once you finished freaking out, your first plan of action was to buy a trap. Maybe you got up a few days later and the trap had worked. Job done; or maybe not.

Rats are social creatures, so the chances are if you’ve seen one, there are going to be more. Killing one isn’t going to do the trick, you need to know where and how they are getting into your house to eliminate an infestation. That’s why prevention is the most important thing when it comes to pest control. Here’s how to prevent rats from getting into your house.

Why are rats attracted to your house?
Rats are looking for food, water, and shelter, especially in the colder months. Unlike mice, rats need water every day, so you’re much more likely to find them near a water source.
How do rats get in to your house?
Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps and they are good climbers and swimmers, so there are several ways they usually get into a property.
They can get in via drains, sewers or cracked pipes, broken air bricks, gaps under doors, damaged roofs, or cracks in foundations.
How can I prevent rats from getting into my house?
Remove access to food sources: This means keeping food including pet food in airtight containers.
Keep your home tidy and free from clutter: Don’t leave food or pet food lying around, make sure rubbish doesn’t pile up, and clear away clutter where rats could nest.
Tidy your garden: As well as keeping your home tidy and clutter-free, keep your garden free from debris that rats could hide in. If you have a compost heap, be aware that some organic material like food waste could attract rodents.
Seal up any potential entry point where rats could get into your house, including:
Gaps under doorways-think about fitting strips to the bottom of doors.
Gaps in walls – Check for any holes around pipes or cables in particular and fill them in with stainless steel wire wool and caulk, or concrete.
Roofs- rats can get into your loft through broken roof tiles. Repair any obvious damage.
Drains and sewer pipes – There have been stories about rats swimming up sewer pipes and round u-bends to get into homes via toilets. That’s why it’s important to check pipes for damage and cover drains with metal grates or screens.
What if I already have a problem with rats in my house?
That trap might have gotten rid of one rat, but its family could be hiding out in your loft. The only way to know for sure whether you’ve got an infestation is to call in professional pest control. Our highly-trained technicians understand rodent behaviour and they know exactly where they could be getting in and where they’re likely to be hiding out.
If they find an infestation, it’s a case of recommending and carrying out the most effective treatment for your situation and helping you proof your house against further problems