While no pests are welcome in the home (hence the name pests), rats have to be by far the most dreaded visitors. That’s because rats are known to carry disease, they’re large enough to cause significant damage to your property, and they stink. What’s more is that once they’re in your home, they can be a real challenge to get rid of.
So how do you keep them away? Here are some valuable pointers.
Avoid Temptation
To beat a rat, you need to think like a rat. What is it that tempts a rat into your home in the first place? Chances are that its smelly rubbish, a shed that’s full of food and hay, or even bird feed that has been scattered and left on the ground.
Your job then is to avoid anything like this that could tempt a rat into your garden in the first place! Keep anything edible as far away from your home as you can, or fully sealed.
Look for Cracks and Openings
Cracks and openings in your walls, fences, and windows provide entry points for rats. Moreover, though, they also provide places for them to the harbour when the rain is pouring down. That’s why you should fill gaps even if they don’t go all the way through into your property.
Get a Cat
Getting a cat is a good way to keep the rats at bay. Of course, this is the reason that people once got rats in the first place! Even if your cat is a little on the lazy side, their presence alone will be enough to ward off hairy intruders.
And if you’re not a feline fan? At least don’t be so quick to scare off the neighbour’s cat! They might just be doing you a favour.
