A rat infestation is a troubling problem that can grow very quickly if it is not treated. If you live in Staten Island, NY, there is a good chance that you are at risk for a rat problem, and you should be on the lookout for any signs of an infestation in your home.
Noticing the Infestation
The first, and most important, step in removing a rat infestation from your home in Staten Island, NY is to detect the infestation. In order to do this you have to be on the lookout for the various rat infestation signs listed below. If you see one or more of these signs, it may be time to hire a professional to take care of it.
- Droppings in cupboards, under sinks, or around food in general.
- Gnawed papers, linens, or other miscellaneous items in hidden places around your home.
- Rat burrows around the outside of your house, or by fences on your property.
- Rustling noises in your kitchen or other rooms in the middle of the night, when rats are active.
Prevent Contamination
The first step to take when you discover a rat problem is to eliminate their food source. Package your food in hard plastic containers that seal tightly. Raise pet food off the floor, and put everything you can into the refrigerator and the freezer. Wipe down counters, cupboards, and any other areas where rats have been with disinfectant because they are known to spread diseases.
Block Them Out
One of the best ways to keep rats out of your house, and a technique that is often used by Staten Island pest control professionals, is to seal off entrances to your home using a rust-proof mesh. The mesh is often made from copper, and it is relatively affordable. This is known as exclusion, and is the primary way that pest control companies prevent mice and rats.
Look for any signs of entry around the rooms where you see evidence of rats. You may see small holes in your walls or floors, or certain areas of your home that show evidence that they have been chewed. These are often entry points.
Lock the mesh over any of these entry points using staples or tacks to hold them in place. In most cases, when the rats can no longer get into your home, they will move on to an accessible food source.
Trapping the Rats
When you tell a Staten Island exterminator about your rat infestation problem, he or she will often employ traps to get rid of the rats. There’s no reason that you can’t do the same, with a little practice and a lot of patience.
Simply bait the trap with professional rat bait and let the rat get used to the trap and the bait before you actually set it. When the rats begin eating the bait, set the trap and place the bait. This is much more effective than setting the trap initially, before the rats trust it. If you can’t find bait in stores in Staten Island, NY, you can order it online and have it shipped to your home instead.
It is possible to remove a rat infestation on your own, but if you are having difficulty taking care of it you can hire a professional to do the work for you. We cover rat removal for those who live in the New York City area, and our professionals can take care of your pests quickly and efficiently, leaving you time for more pleasant activities.