Rats have been a problem for peopls throughout history. They eat or spoil crops, can spread diseases, and damage property. There are stories of old wooden ships sinking because rats had gnawed through them. Every year, thousands of people in this country suffer from rat bites. So how do you solve the rat problem? Read on for the tips;

Look Out For Signs Of Rat Activity

Even though rats can weigh up to 18 ounces, you don't always see them. Most people discover rats by seeing signs of their presence. Look for droppings near food sources. Also, rats follow the same pathways as they search for food, so they leave greasy marks along sideboards and walls. rats need to gnaw to keep their teeth sharp, so look for chew marks on wood around the house. Go outside and see if you can find any holes in the ground that weren't there before. Rats always stay fairly close to their nests, whivh could be in the yard or the house.

Identify The Type of Rat

There are two main types of rats common to the Brisbane area, the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus). Black rats are most prevalent in urban environments as well as coastal habitats. Shorter than the Brownrat at between 16-24cm in length, they posses large ears, a slender body and a pointed nose. Black rats are exceptional climbers with great agility meaning that they are usually the culprits if you hear scratching in your walls or ceiling. Brown rats can grow up to 40cm in length and have small ears, a stockier body and a blunt nose. They are not famed for their climbing ability, instead preferring to remain on the ground where they can burrow.

Poison The Rats

Unquestionably poison is the most effective way of dealing with a rat infestation. Poison is obtainable at garden and farm supply stores. The best method is to put the poison in a seriesof rat boxes and place them between their holes and their food or water source or where there are signs of droppings.

Rats are suspicious and it may take a week for them to accept the box as part of their environment and start using it. The poison is kept out of reach of cats, dogs and other animals. Most rats that take poison will die in their holes, but any found should be disposed of, preferably by burning. In some cases, it is worth taking the poison to the rats and to do this I was taught to put some poison in a ball of cling film and put it into a hole, covering the opening with a brick. Some rats are becoming resistant to poison and it is worth trying different makes over time.

Set Traps For Them

Due to their suspicious nature traps should be baited for a week, replacing bait as it is taken setting the traps. Traps have the advantage in that you will not end up with a dead, stinking rat under your floorboards, but it is not generally a successful method if you have got a serious problem.

Make Sure You Plug Up Any Openings In Your Home

Unlike mice, rats need a lot of water (1 oz), so they may travel in and out of your house. That's why it's important to seal up any cracks, holes, or entry points. Remember, if the hole is the size of a quarter, it's big enough for a rat.

Use a Professional For Effective Rat Removal

In rental properties, treating infestation of rats is not as simple as throwing baits in the roof. While occupants are permitted to lay baits in their own properties, a handyman is not licensed to lay baits. Only licensed pest controllers are permitted to place rodent baits on another person's property and they are required to follow safety instructions and health regulations to contact one today.

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