Humanely Dealing With Rats And Rodents

Humane Ways to Deal with Rats And Mice

Rats and rodents are a widespread issue across many parts of Australia, causing significant damage to crops and infiltrating homes and garages. They will destroy your electrical system, furniture, walls, and floors.
And as much as the thought of any rodent in your home makes you feel violated, it is important to address this infestation with humane practices not only for the rodents in question but also for other local animals and wildlife.

Rodent Control Options

You need to approach this is a two fold method.
You must stop them from entering your property as well as removing or dealing with the existing rodents.

Rodent Proofing Your Home

To start, focus on where the rodents are. They may be in your roof cavity, your garage or in a part of your home.
There are many rodent proofing solutions and going down to Bunnings or your local hardware store will have a range of different ways to seal your home.
So Pest Off can also access professional grade rodent proofing products.
The main areas that must be sealed is around doorways, weep holes and through the roof.

Trimming back trees and bushes that touch or overhang onto the roof will stop rodents from gaining easy access into your roof. Keep your hedges maintained as they are an ideal hiding spot.
Installing gutter guards will help to stop your gutters from offering protection and roof access for rodents, possums and snakes.

Hire a rodent proofing professional such as our pest technicians or a handyman for proper installation as these critters will eat through regular caulk or putty. You must use wire mesh and there is rat barrier putty and rat barrier silicone that contains metal fragments to deter them from chewing through it.
Trying to block access with furniture in front of the holes is inadequate, as rats and mice will easily slip through this.
Make sure to regularly check the integrity of your seals to ensure their effectiveness. If needed, seek assistance from professionals to address any issues.

Stop Attracting Rats And Rodents

Cut off the food and water supply. Rats are opportunistic eaters, consuming leftover food scraps, pet food and bird seed.
Stop putting out food or scraps and get rid of the compost bin.
It is crucial to remove any potential food and water sources that may attract rats.

Feed your pets inside or ensure that left overs in food bowls are removed and not left to attract unwanted visitors.
If you keep birds or chickens, keeping the aviary or run clean is always going to be a challenge but it requires the same steps – Minimising food and sealing all entry points into the coop or aviary.

Avoid A Rat Infestation

If you are dealing with both a rodent and other pest infestations simultaneously, it is advisable to consult a pest control company promptly before you have a situation that will need the local council to intervene.

Removing potential nesting materials helps to deter rats from your home. Keep your lawn mowed to minimize hiding places for rats.
Inside your home, if you have an area that you store furniture or ‘Stuff” this should be cleared. Many people will use under the home, a shed a garage or a spare room to store belongings they no longer need. Moving unused furniture or timber out of your home will help make it more challenging for them to establish a permanent residence.

If you have a neighbour that is attracting rats ,try talking to them and if that does not help – Talk to your local council about the environmental hazard about vermin.

If rats have found their way into your home it can be difficult to remove them.
You can purchase rat traps as a poison-free method of addressing a rodent problem.
These traps can humanely catch them and you can decide if you will catch and release or take them to a vet who can euthanize them. This is suitable if you think you only have 1 or 2 unwanted visitors. This is also how we remove possums by catching and releasing them as possums are a protected species.

Rodent Deterrents

For those who prefer natural deterrents or solutions, there are several options to drive rats out of your home.

Peppermint oil is repugnant to rats. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them on floors and inside walls.
Eucalyptus Oil – use in the same way as the peppermint oil. Rats do not like change so mixing it us with different smells and oils can help move them on before they get too comfortable
Ammonia can overwhelm rats, but it may also pose breathing difficulties for humans. Mix water, detergent, and ammonia to create a solution and spray it into the areas that you think rats or mice are using.

PLEASE NOTE: Many essential oils including eucalyptus oil, are poisons for pets and children.You must ensure that essential oils are used where pets and children cannot reach them.

If you do have an ongoing rodent problem – then you will have to consider exterminating the current rodents and then rodent proofing your home so it does not happen again.

Rodent Baiting Options

Depending on the location and severity a rodent control company may use baits in different parts of the home or property.
Rodent Extermination is not immediate and may take up to 6 weeks to see results.
So Pest Off is accredited and recommends using Selontra Soft Bait Rodenticide.
For commercial properties and homes with recurring rodent issues, So Pest Off also has blue tooth rodent boxes available to show how many rats are entering each baiting station allowing for targeted placement

Rat Exterminators

To effectively rid your property of rats, it is crucial to rat proof your home.
Eliminate any potential food, water, and shelter sources that rats can exploit.
Use traps, cages, or natural deterrents such as peppermint oil and ammonia for a humane approach.
If your efforts are unsuccessful, it is advisable to seek professional pest control help.
So Pest Off offers rodent control services to homes and businesses in the Hills District region in Sydney.
Contact us today for assistance.