Removing rats from your house is just half the battle; the other half keeps them from returning in the future. Whether you can stop new rats from entering the area will not matter if you eliminate the ones already there since others will come in to take their place. A combination of taking hygienic precautions to reduce the availability of food sources and ensuring that there are no openings or crevices through which rodents may get into your house is the best way to avoid an infestation.
Assessing a building for avenues of entrance used by rats and then closing those points off is not very complicated. Examine everything, and if you discover any cracks or holes, fill them up and seal them up. On the other hand, the procedure may become very scary due to the vast surface area of structures, particularly in more extensive residential or commercial premises. In that scenario, how exactly does one go about inspecting a system for potential ways of entrance for rats to keep them out?
The Simplest Method – Hire a Professional
Suppose you want the work done correctly and are uncomfortable with checking your whole building. In that case, the easiest solution is to hire a professional to inspect you. Although not all professionals specialising in rodent control provide this service, many do. If they do not, they may be able to recommend a home improvement contractor in your area capable of handling the situation.
Hiring a professional has several benefits, including eliminating the need for you to personally examine the whole of the building and the assurance that the individual will know exactly what to look for. You should know that there is a cost associated with using this service. Most homeowners think the assurance justifies the price that all entrance points have been blocked off.
Continue reading if you are interested in either learning how to inspect on your own or knowing what a trained expert will do for you.
Common Entry Points
You must do a comprehensive search of the building for potential access points. Investigating every part of the property is essential to ensure you do not overlook any of its features. In light of this, you should concentrate on specific locations inside the structure that are more likely to serve as access points for the rats.
Wall Cracks
Cracks, both evident and not so apparent, should be looked for in your walls. If you locate a hole that is not too large, you may quickly patch it up with caulk. A waterproof sealer or wool can do the trick when dealing with bigger holes.
Vents
Vents often include apertures that are sufficient enough for rats to get through. The same may be said for the spaces around the vents’ openings. You may prevent these problems by covering your vents with metal screening and filling in any spaces you notice around them.
Gaps by Windows
Since it is common for these openings to be large enough for a mouse to get through, it is essential to pay close attention to the areas around your windows. Remember that rats can fit through openings much smaller than you would think. Make sure you check the area surrounding your windows and the screens themselves to ensure that you have closed every gap.
Roof
Rats may also enter your home via the roof, which is particularly problematic if you have a habit of inadvertently leaving holes in it. Pay special attention to the regions where the top ends, where different elements of the roof meet, and where items like chimneys or skylights protrude since these are the locations most likely to sustain damage.
Chimney
Even though the chimney is technically a component of the roof, it serves as such a prominent point of entry that it warrants its separate bullet point. Because it is protected from the elements and retains heat, rats often visit this location. It is possible that rats spend most of their time in the chimney rather than venturing down into the rest of your house. Check the chimney for any gaps, especially those that may exist around the chimney cap or grate, both of which should unquestionably be installed.
Garage
Most people do not spend much time in their garages, making it a particularly desirable location for rats to get into your house. Garages tend to be an ideal site for rats to enter your home through. This makes it simple to enter the building and allows them to stay disguised while inside, mainly if stacked boxes are around. Pay careful attention to any spaces between the door to your garage and the entrance that leads from your garage into your house.
Look for Signs of Rodent Activity
You may also check for signs of activity from rodents to assist you in directing your search for access points in the building.
- droppings
- a chewed item’s harm
- urine stains
- Holes gnawed open
If you see any of these indications of rodent activity, it is likely; an entry point is nearby. As a result, you should pay extra careful attention to the details while assessing the area.
Watch Rats enter via the Entry Points
You should check for prospective access points into your house that rodents may use and investigate how they get to those regions. This is somewhat visible if a space surrounds your entrance, as it will allow easy access to the door from the ground. However, the situation becomes more difficult at higher entrance points.
If rats have gained entrance to your house through your roof, look at your property and figure out how the rodents may have gotten to the area in question. After that, you should take measures to prevent them from gaining access to it. In most instances, rats will access the roof through neighbouring trees; thus, cutting back overgrown branches that go too close to your top may help lessen the danger.
Make Your House Less Appealing
In addition to preventing rodents from entering your house, you need also make an effort to ensure that your property is unattractive to rats from their point of view. This should be done in conjunction with rat-proofing your home. Remember that rats can gnaw through a wide variety of materials; thus, if they find your house desirable, they will make every effort to access it.
Get rid of any obvious food sources as the first step in making your house less inviting to pests. It would be best if you cleaned the floors and countertops where there are crumbs. Make sure that any food that has been left over is stored in containers that are airtight so that rats cannot get to it. Make sure the lids of your trash cans are always on tight.
Also Checkout: Where to Release a Captured Rat