Rats are the larger species of the rodent family. These pests have long noses and longer tails and are larger than rodents such as mice. Rats are usually found in larger cities, but they can be found in other areas as well, including in rural areas. Rats are always looking for food and water, much like other rodents are. If they can find easy access to both food and water in your home, they are going to stay and invite their friends as well. Read on for some tips to help you exterminate rats and how you can prevent an infestation in the first place.

Make Repairs

Make the necessary repairs to your home to help prevent more rats from coming inside. You need to figure out how the rats are getting inside and look around for an entrance. Check the perimeter of your home and look for small openings or holes where these pests may be getting inside. Rats don't need a large opening, just as long as they can squeeze their heads inside, they will be able to squeeze their bodies inside as well. Repair your home as needed to prevent any more pests from getting inside.

Remove The Food Source

Remove the source of food that these pests have been using to survive. Remove any source of food that they can use to feed off of, including things such as bird seed, fertilizer, or grass seeds in your garage or storage shed. If you have a compost pile close to your home, you need to remove this as well to prevent them from being lured to your home. Remove any source of food that these pests have been using to feast off of.

Keep An Eye Out For Signs Of Rats

To help prevent an infestation in the first place, you need to keep a close eye out for signs of rats in your home. Watch out for piles of feces throughout your home, grease or oil smears along your baseboards, piles of food in random areas, or scratching and scurrying noises throughout your home, especially at night. If you notice any signs of rodents in your home, you need to exterminate these pests right away before you end up with major problems.

If you have an issue with rats in your home, you need to get them removed right away before your home is overrun by these pests. Hire a professional exterminator for help with rat removal.