How to Get Rid of Rats in the Kitchen Area

S

The sight of a rat dashing across your kitchen floor can be both embarrassing and shocking. One rat may mean a lot more may be hidden in the house. The kitchen provides the most ideal condition for rats to thrive. There is an available supply of food, water, places to hide, and shelter.

The rats are flexible and can fit in the tiniest of spaces. They survive on food scraps but the damage they can cause to your property is huge. If you see any sighting of a rat take the proper measures to eliminate them before it is too late.

Rats carry many diseases and pose serious health threats to humans. The kitchen especially is where the food is prepared and this makes it easy for contamination of food by these pests.

Rats can also chew through wood and other surfaces. It is therefore advisable that food is stored in glass or metal containers to prevent these rats from chewing into them.

Read About: https://naturehomes.co.uk/what-are-seo-services/

Here is how to get rid of rats in your kitchen

Change bins

A bin full of waste food is a welcome gift to rats. The rats given the slightest opening will pounce on it. You should get a steel waste bin design. Ensure that the bin has a secure lid which the rats cannot knock off.

Ensure you have empty water bowls

An adult rat can drink up to 60ml of water a day. This means that rats will always be on the lookout for watering areas. Pet bowls will provide an easy solution for them to sip from. It is recommended that you empty these bowls each night. Cover any other outdoor water area to avoid the rats getting in.

Clean up food waste

After having a party in the garden and all is done, ensure that you clean up the dropped food remains. If you own a bird then ensure that your birdfeeder is placed furthest from your decking.

Use traps

Most people hate the idea of trapping animals in traps. If you are one of these people worry not as there are many humane ways of trapping these animals. Drop a few pieces of garlic around your house. Rats hate the smell of garlic and would naturally be drawn away.

You can also try other methods like ultrasonic pest repellents and some non-lethal traps placed around your decking. If you do not want to kill the rats you should dispose them off at least one mile from your premises.

Create a barrier for your decked area

Rats enter loft space and you need to have a barrier that will prevent the rats from getting in. but how do you do this without using expensive materials. Use available materials like wood and wire mesh.

Recommended: exterminator near me

Signs of rats in your kitchen

Small holes

Tiny small holes the size of a tennis ball are a sign that you might have been infested by rats. Rats can squeeze themselves through such tiny openings and take shelter in your kitchen in areas difficult to spot. Seal all visible holes to prevent further infestation.

Droppings

Rats will leave dropping near food packages, cupboards, drawers, under the sink, and other hidden areas. A high number of droppings will indicate the nesting and feeding area. Check around the area you found the droppings to ascertain if the infestation is still active.

Gnaw marks

Check the food packaging and the structure of the house for some gnaw marks. New gnaw marks are distinct as they look lighter in color. The size of the marks will determine the kind of rats you have in your kitchen. Large gnaw marks will mean rats with large teeth.

Foul odor

If there is a stale smell coming from your kitchen it might indicate an active rat infestation. If you own a pet cat or dog they are the best at sniffing the odor. If you notice your pet has an interest in an area examine it carefully for signs of an infestation.

Nests

Rats use different materials such as paper and fabric to build nests. Any sighting of such a nest is an indication that your kitchen is infested.