Norway rat infestations are one of the most dangerous pest infestations that you can get. On top of that, rats reproduce very quickly, and an infestation can get huge in a short period of time. This is why it’s important to know how you can prevent and control these infestations.

Prevention

There are several methods that can be employed to prevent rat infestations. First, you will have to make sure that your home is not welcoming to rats by removing any food and water sources that they may have available. This includes fixing leaky pipes and gutters, storing all the food in sealed containers, making sure that the rats do not have access to your garbage, and that the pet food is stored safely. You also want to remove the clutter around the home, since clutter is very attractive to most pests. With these methods in place, you can also look for products that are active repellents, products such as essential oils, certain plants or devices that can repel rodents using sound, or other means.

Control

When it comes to control, it’s best to work with a professional. Rats are quite intelligent, and removing an infestation completely can be tough. DIY efforts will usually fall short of this target, and if the entire rat population in the home is not removed, the rats will simply reproduce and grow their numbers again.

A pro will use either poisons or traps to deal with an infestation. Poisons are very effective against large infestations, but their disadvantages are that they are slow and that the rats will die in unpredictable locations. For example, the rats may die in a wall void, where they are very difficult to reach. Some pest control companies will offer cleanup services after the control methods have been implemented.

Traps will kill rats quickly, and they will keep their bodies in place, but they come with the disadvantage that they are not able to remove large infestations effectively. Still they are the preferred control method whenever they can be used. A pro will perform an inspection in order to determine the size of the infestation and will then recommend the best course of action.

For more information on how Norway rat infestations are controlled or prevented, or if you are currently struggling with an infestation, get in touch with us today.