Getting Rid of Rats
 
Article Author: Bruce Gow

 

 

“We know how much of a persistent pest rats can be and therefor we take extra measures to make sure they are disposed of and not tempted to return to your premises!”

 

 

Got a rat problem? Rats are more than just annoying. They’re dangerous disease spreading rodents that can also cause a great deal of damage to property. They may even be responsible for starting some house fires – particularly in older homes – by gnawing through electrical cables.

rat

Once you have a colony of rats in close proximity it can be difficult to get rid of them. Rats are nocturnal, so there’s almost no chance you’ll spot them during the day time. Rats are also shy and wary creatures with great survival instincts. They’re said to be ‘neophobic’ which means that they don’t like new things – making it difficult to quickly tempt them into a trap, or get them to immediately take to rat bait.

Fact sheet on Brown Rats

If those factors didn’t make it difficult enough, rats eventually develop immunity to products that are used to bait and lure them. Products that were successful in the 1940s are no longer of much use. New products developed in the 1970s have proved relatively successful to-date however it appears that rats are beginning to develop a resistance to those too.

So how do you get rid of rats? Eradicating rats requires a multi-pronged approach.  You’re likely to need the help of a qualified pest controller to locate the rats nest, establish how the rats are entering the area, and to lay baits safely and in the right places.

Click here for facts on Black Rat

There are things you’ll need to do too. Rats look for a home that offers them good shelter, a discreet entrance and exit, and a source of food that’s not far from home. Removing potential sources of food (like dry pet food or other stored food items that aren’t properly sealed), and blocking potential entrances (broken roof tiles, gaps under doors and the like) can make your place a lot less inviting.

 

The importance of managing neophobia (the fear of new things)

 In Australia we tend not to hear a great deal about the health risks associated with rodent infestations. This is quite a contrast to the headlines often seen in Europe and the US. However, various zoonotic diseases in Australia rodent pests are quite well documented.

In recent years Steptobacillus moniliformis, Angiostrongylus cantonesis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, leptospirosis, rickettsia and cryptosporidia have all been documented as causes for concern. Fortunately, whilst hantavirus antibody-positive rodents have been found across Australia, it has not yet been reported in humans.

A core issue in managing rodent problems quickly is the natural neophobia (fear of new things) displayed by rodents, the strong suspicion of and awareness to change and the presence of unfamiliar objects, which has been widely reported in rat populations in particular.

Populations that display the highest levels of neophobia tend to be those in stable environments that are less frequently disturbed and where there is an abundance of food.

Selecting a rodenticide bait that better manages the neophobic responses exhibited by rodents can greatly improve rodent management programs.

 

So how do you get rid of rats? Call A1 Pest Control on 0417 251 911 today for some free advice and no pushy sales talk

Call Bruce on 0417 251 91 if you have a problem with rat control or send him a message.