In a post shared on their Facebook page, Matt’s Pest Control says: “With the cold winter weather we are now experiencing, our little rodent friends will be looking indoors to keep warm..!! If you are getting kept up by their noises at night, it could be time for a rodent check..!!”
Signs you have rats
The bad news is it’s very unlikely for there to be just one rat in your home. If there’s one, there will be more.
Some common signs you have rodents include:
- scratching and gnawing sounds
- a funky smell around the house
- finding rat poop.
While your first instinct might be to turn to rat baits, David Wright from Clean and Green Pest Control told the Daily Telegraph rats are getting too smart for that.
"They can actually even identify certain rodent baits just by looking at them — someone in their rat family will have eaten that particular bait.”
Not to mention, poison can be risky if you have pets, children or other wildlife nearby.
How to get rid of rats without poison
Remove food sources
As well as warmth, rats are coming over to your place in search of food and water. So make sure the dishes are done before you hit the hay. Put any animal food away at night and make sure there aren't any leaky taps.
Peppermint oil
Douse some cotton balls in 100 percent pure peppermint oil and place them around your home. Set a reminder to replace the balls a few times a week. Cayenne pepper, black pepper, or cloves should also work to deter rats from entering your home.
Catnip
Rats hate the smell of catnip. Luckily, catnip can be easily purchased from your local pet shop. However, if you plan to keep it inside it needs as much direct sunlight as possible. This also works well for getting rid of rats in your garden.
Seal any holes
Rats are sneakier than you think and can make their way through tiny holes in your walls. Make sure you’ve sealed any gaps in your exterior walls, making it difficult for them to get inside.
For more information, read our handy dos and don’t guide for protecting your house from rodents.
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