Even if you eliminate rats from your home, odds are that they will return at some point in the future. This is especially true in winter when rats begin to invade homes looking for shelter and food. However, if you can keep your yard or garden rat-free, you add an extra layer of protection for your home. Here are some tips to get rid of rats that are outside your home:
- Keep your garden clean
Rats don’t like open spaces so make sure your garden is neat, tidy, and free of clutter. This will discourage them from opening up shop. Keep your lawn trimmed, remove leaves and wood piles, lock storage sheds, and seal outdoor garbage bins. Finally, make sure that there are no other food sources outside your home. Remove any fallen fruit, vegetables, or bird food from your yard.
- Call the birds
Rats have many natural predators, so by inviting these predators to your yard you can ensure that rats keep their distance. Owls can eat dozens of rats and mice in one night for example. If you want to attract these birds of prey to your property, consider adding a water source to your yard (such as a birdbath), and building a nest box. However, you shouldn’t put out bird feed to attract the birds. Bird seed and other foods can attract rats.
- Set up the traps
The best way to get rid of rats fast is by using traps, with snap traps being effective, cheap, easy-to-use and widely available. When it comes to baits, you can’t go wrong with peanut butter. You can also use sliced apples, meat, and grains, but peanut butter is the best option.
- Using poisons outdoors
Poisons can also be very effective at dealing with rat infestations, but it’s probably not the best idea to use them outdoors. Rat poison is effective against other animals as well, and rat carcasses that have been poisoned will remain poisonous, killing any animals that eat them. There is also an issue with legality in certain states, so make sure that you keep this in mind when considering poisons for outdoor infestations.
- Get in touch with a professional pest management company
Sometimes, a rat infestation may be too difficult to remove using DIY methods, especially when the infestation is outdoors, where rats have more options when it comes to food. If you think you need some extra help in dealing with such an infestation, contact us today.
