Regular pest control is often the most reliable form of prevention. Rat bait stations such as AutoGate, professionally managed by Rentokil is a trusted rat deterrent and Internal Dual AutoGate Connect is safe to use even in locations where children or pets are present.

Leaving these in the open can result in secondary poisoning of non target animals, such as pets or birds scavenging on the carcass. This is a mean method that involves the use of a small metal cage. A live wire is connected to the cage, which causes the rat to be electrocuted as soon as it steps into the cage. BIG bastards to abandon the attic and take the pipe as the only way out. If so, how many mothballs would be required? Also what about 24 hour halogen floodlights; thus eliminating These will appear near drainage, mainly near your sink to capitalise on the holes already in place for allowing piping. 2. Burrow holes Seal any openings where rats can get in. Take a look around your home for any small holes that rats might squeeze through. Even ones as small as an opening for a cable might be large enough for a rat. Fill any holes or gaps with caulk to keep rats away for good.Rats can cause huge damage to crops, carry deadly diseases to humans and cause huge damage to properties. Their numbers have exploded to around 70 million in the UK and with many councils now charging households for pest control, you will want to avoid rats ever becoming a problem. How do you know if you’ve got rats — as opposed to just seeing a rat? of the time they die within 48 hours of relocation. So I kill the rats. But how do you kill a rat in the house? There are many lethal traps out there, but I like the snap trap. The attic space is a particularly attractive place forratsas it provides a warm haven for them. Electrical cupboards are another place to bear in mind, asratslike to chew through electrical wiring,' advises John. Rolling log traps are a popular choice for many people who prefer not to kill rats and mice and want to remove them from their homes or property. However, the humanity of a rolling log trap depends on how you set it up. Keep trash away from the exterior of your home. Rats are attracted to garbage, so keeping bins nearby is just asking for them to enter your home. Cover your garbage bins with tight-fitting lids, and keep the bins as far away from your home as possible.

Rats cannot stand the sight of human hair. This makes human hair an effective way to control rats. Clip a few strands of hair and place them in rat-prone areas inside and outdoors. If the rats eat the hair it will kill them. Grow mint plants to get rid of ratsWhen scanning for signs of life, John recommends to look for 'rodent activity such as droppings and nesting materials around your home.' When rats are caught, rat poison baits are used as signposts for the rodent. As soon as a rat makes it into the house, the edible poison attracts the rat’s nose and taste buds and forces it to eat. The toxic chemicals in the baits enter the rats’ system and kill them within a day or two.

Alternatively, if you don’t have time to go around spraying, you can spray cotton balls with the mixture and leave them in areas around the house. If you choose the cotton balls, replace them every two weeks.Many essential oils double as methods to repel insects and other pests. For instance, peppermint oil can also keep mice away naturally. If you prefer not to make your own mixture, you can buy Rat Magic, an essential oil-based repellent for outdoor use. Use specialist bird feeders too, rather than scattering food in your garden as this could attract rats!' 3. Seal any entry points Rats need easily available food sources. Proper sanitation can make all the difference in eliminating them. In late summer/early autumn harvests are taking place and crops are ripened. Temperatures are warm and rodents have plenty of vegetation in which to hide from potential predators. Wild rats can be highly aggressive when cornered: they won’t cower and run when confronted by humans, so the only effective way to rid yourself of them is either to catch and kill or catch and release far away from your property. Whichever method you choose, lethal or non-lethal, you’ll be pleased to know that the majority of rat-trapping methods lean towards more humane options these days. Best Rat Traps: At a glance

When poison is consumed by a rat, it is likely that it will die in a cavity or roof space from which a bad smell can emit.

Thought needs to be taken when placing poison or traps to ensure they are in a safe and secure place out of reach of non target animals, children and pets. In contrast, pet rats have a longer lifespan; without the threat from natural predators, and with a constant supply of food and care, domesticated rats often live between two to three years.