Norway rats have a tendency to gnaw on everything around them. This tendency is not just a tic, but an essential behavior for their survival, because rats have fangs that never stop growing. If the rats do not grind these fangs down to size manually, eventually they will become unmanageable and even end up hurting the rat. This is why they cause so much damage in the home. Let’s take a look at the methods that you can use to prevent this damage from happening.
Habitat modification
Habitat modification methods refers to the procedures that you use to make a habitat undesirable for rats. Two main methods come into view here – sanitation and food denial. Any place that is clean and free of clutter is less attractive to rats, and they may choose not to infest such an area. Denying rats access to food is fairly straightforward – keep all your food in sealed containers, and do not leave any food out overnight. Be careful with pet food though, because it can also be a main draw, and make sure that you keep your indoor and outdoor trash in lidded containers.
Exclusion
Exclusion refers to the methods used to make a space unbreachable for rats. The main exclusion method is the sealing of any gap or crack in the exterior wall of the home that is large enough for a rat to get through. Exclusion methods are perhaps the most effective at preventing rat infestations.
Repellents and frightening devices
There are many devices on the market which are advertised as being able to repel rats in one way or the other. Some have a chemical mechanism, while others use ultrasound to frighten the rats away. The effectiveness of these products is mixed, and very few are used in a professional setting, but you may come across certain chemical repellents that have an effect.
Control
If all prevention methods fail, then it is time to move to control in order to remove the infestation. For this purpose, either traps or poisons will be used depending on the size of the infestation. If you have any questions about Norway rat prevention and control, or if you are dealing with an infestation that needs to be removed, contact us today.