Does Pest Control Get Rid of Rats?

There are many Australian homes plagued by rats. If left unchecked, they can create serious health threats and property damage. Rats harbour a variety of diseases such as Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis and Hantavirus, which can be passed to your family members or pets when they come into contact with their urine, droppings or through a bite. They gnaw on walls, electrical wiring and furniture, leading to fire hazards and personal property damage. If not addressed properly, a rat issue can escalate to a very serious infestation.

So, does pest control kill rats? The answer is yes! Professional rat extermination can kill off rats and stop them from coming back. Although do-it-yourself options, such as traps or poison, can be effective, it is safer and more efficient to leave the eradication of severe infestations to professionals.

Rat Extermination Methods

1. Traps and Baits: This is one of the most popular ways to kill rats. You can also catch and kill rats with snap traps, live traps and glue traps; you can trap them alive or dead with poison baits. But poison has to be applied very cautiously so that it doesn’t result in so-called collateral damage on pets or humans.

2. Ultrasound Devices: These units broadcast ultrasonic and still waves that should act as a rat repellent. Yet the efficacy of these is modest and variable.

3. Use natural predators: A few homeowners adopt cats or snakes that eat rats to control their population. While that might work for a casual infestation, it won’t move the needle with big problems.

The reality is professional rat control takes a combination of these methods and combines it with years of expertise to efficiently and safely remove rats from your place and avoid new infestations.

Preventing Rat Infestations

Eliminating rats requires more than just extermination; prevention is key. Here are ten ways to protect your home or business from rats:

1. Seal Entry Points: Close holes and cracks in walls, foundations, vents, and around pipes. Rats can squeeze through very small openings.

2. Store Food Properly: Keep food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs and spills immediately. This includes pet food and birdseed.

3. Remove Nesting Sites: Clear debris, tall grass, and piles of wood. Keep gardens and yards well-maintained.

4. Maintain Clean Indoor Areas: Regularly clean floors, counters, and storage areas to reduce clutter and food sources.

5. Eliminate Water Sources: Fix leaks, clear standing water, and keep gutters clean. Rats are attracted to damp areas.

6. Use Rat-Proof Materials: Replace vulnerable materials like wood with metal flashing, wire mesh, and secure vent covers.

7. Declutter: Remove cardboard, newspapers, and other materials rats use for nesting.

8. Secure Trash: Keep garbage in tight-fitting containers and clean the surrounding area.

9. Monitor Entry Points: Regularly inspect your property for signs of rats and seal any new openings.

10. Hire Professionals: For severe infestations, professional pest control services can identify rat species and apply the most effective treatments safely.

In other words, pest control can be an effective form of rat eradication with the use of traps and baits, as well as a number of other professional methods. Prevention is as important as control; sealing entry, food and water exclusion and sanitation. For heavy infestations, you can hire the services of a professional pest control for safe and more permanent results.

We, at Shield Termite Treatment Maylands provide a wide range of pest control services across Perth and suburbs, including:

• Flying insects (wasps, bees, flies, mosquitoes)

• Crawling insects (termites, spiders, cockroaches, ants)

• Birds and rodents (rats, mice, birds)

Shield Termite Treatment Maylands offers professional pest control services in Maylands and surrounding areas. For safe and effective rat control, contact us at (08) 6186 7426 or visit our website at Shield Termite Treatment.