Rat Control: Effective Methods to Protect Your Home & Health

Rats pose a significant health risk to humans. They chew through walls, leave droppings and are a general nuisance. Controlling them can be a challenge. They reproduce monthly. A single rat can produce 120 or more offspring per year. Rats are smart, and traps alone may not be enough.

Prevention/Solution

• Keep debris and wood piles away from the home. Grass should be mowed to within one-half inch in height. Remove all bird feeders and standing water.

Spring Traps

• Spring traps are somewhat effective against rats. A bar snaps down and breaks the animal's neck. Be advised, however, that rats will sometimes chew themselves free.

Electronic Traps

• Electronic traps work by electrocution. Most styles operate on two to four AA batteries.

Glue Boards

• These work similar to fly paper. A board is coated with sticky glue. Rats climb on it and get stuck.

Poisons

• Poisons are very effective in controlling rats. Anticoagulants are very popular.

Repellents

• Rat repellents come in many forms. Mothballs are the most common.