When it comes to rat infestations, prevention is the key to ensure that your home stays safe. There are many prevention methods out there, some more effective than others, and many people might rely on their cats in order to stop rats from entering the home. But just how effective are cats at preventing rat infestations, and can they stop an infestation in its tracks?
Why cats are effective against rats
Cats are very good at catching rats, because they are their natural predators. However, that is not the only reason cats are good at keeping rats out of the home. Cats release pheromones, which rats have evolved to be very sensitive to. When a rat enters a home that has a cat in it, it will immediately sense these pheromones and run away in terror. It has to be a literal life and death situation for a rat to enter a space which has a cat in it.
When cats are not enough
Cats will keep rats out of the home in most situations, but when the temperature outside is freezing, or food/water is very scarce, rats may still try to set up inside the home. Cats are also ineffective at removing an infestation. If rats are already infesting the home, they will be able to avoid your cat and survive in their nests, to the point where their population starts to rise. In this situation, you will have to take matters into your own hands and remove the infestation.
How to get rid of an infestation
To get rid of rats, it’s best to work with a pro, because these pests can be hard to remove. A pro will use either traps or poisons to handle the infestation, depending on the size of the infestation. Smaller infestations are best dealt with traps, and larger ones will need to be poisoned. The pro will perform an inspection to determine if rats are really the culprits behind the infestation, and to determine if there are more pests in the home than just rats. After the inspection, the pro will consult with you and present you with the options, along with their pros and cons. If you have any questions about how rat infestations are handled, or if you have a rat infestation in your home currently, contact us today.