How To Get Rid of Rats

Getting Rid of Rats in Your Home

Rats in the Home or Garden

It is extremely serious if rats are getting into your home even if they are not entering a direct living area. Any rat problem inside the home must be treated urgently.

Rats in the garden and other external areas can also be high risk, particularly in areas used by children or pets.

It is important to know how to get rid of rats in the garden to reduce the risk of them trying to enter the home.

Special care is needed for properties with integral garages or with dog or cat flaps as rats can use these to get into the home.

Health Risks from Rats

Rats pose a significant health risk to humans and our pets. Common diseases carried by rats include Salmonella, Weil’s disease, E.coli and TB.
Rats also carry fleas, mites and ticks and can cause acute allergic reactions.

At Rentokil, we are experts in getting rid of rats quickly and efficiently. We can offer advice on how to get rid of rats as well as a professional service to get rid of the rat problem for you.

We offer you a convenient rat service with:

• Fast and effective home call out service to get rid of rats.
• Peace of mind - we’ll make as many visits as needed to ensure the rat problem is completely resolved.
• Expert advice - to help you prevent future rat infestations.
• Established pest control techniques using the latest equipment – you don’t need to worry about the safety of children or pets.

Call Rentokil Pest Control Ireland on 1890 666 444 for further advice on how to get rid of rats in your home or to arrange a visit by a technician.

Signs of a Rat Problem

Rats are nocturnal and usually hide from humans, so the typical signs of rats in the house are:

• Scratching noises in walls or under the floor as rats scurry around. Rats in attic are common.
• Rat droppings – rats leave dark, tapered droppings about 10-14mm long.
• Distinctive smell – rats leave an ammonia-like smell that will be particularly strong in enclosed areas such as under cupboards.
• Damage – rats have teeth that grow continuously and gnaw on wood and plastic to keep them trim. Rats can even cause fires by chewing through cables.
• Ripped food packaging – rats will tear open food which may leave teeth marks.
• Nests – rats build nests in warm, hidden places using shredded material such as newspaper and fabrics. Nests will often contain young rats.
• Burrows - In gardens, rats will dig burrows especially in compost heaps or under sheds. They will also build nests under garden decking.

How To Get Rid Of Rats

Do you have rats in the kitchen? Or rats in the attic? If not treated, a rat infestation can quickly take hold.
If you want to stop rats getting into your house, then the first defence against rats is to proof your home.

Rat Proof Your Home & Prevent Rats

• Seal any holes and fit bristle strip around doors - young rats can get through holes of less than 1cm.
• Ultrasonic rat control repellers emit sound that is uncomfortable for rats but cannot be heard by humans. These may help to prevent rats entering a home in the first place, however, we do not recommend them for existing infestations as rats can quickly get used to the ultrasound.
• Store food in plastic or metal containers.
• Regularly clean under cookers and fridges - it is important not to attract rats with food.
• Keep household refuse in closed bins.
• Do not put meat into compost heaps.
• Only use squirrel-proof bird feeders.
• Ensure that all pipe-work is in good order - rats can come up from sewers through broken pipes.

Getting Rid of Rats Professionally

Although there is a range of amateur DIY rat control products available to help get rid of rats in low risk areas, we do recommend that you get professional pest control for high risk areas, for rat activity in living areas or if there are repeated problems with rats.

Rentokil service technicians provide highly targeted treatment to deal with any rat problem and will advise on how to keep your home free of rats in the future.

Call Rentokil Pest Control Ireland on 1890 666 444 for more information on how to get rid of rats or to arrange a visit by a technician.