Rats can turn your comfortable home into a place reeking of a foul stench, susceptible to diseases and infection, and full of damaged walls and household items. The best way to fix a rat problem is by hiring an exterminator. Their services typically include identifying the rats’ location, placing baits to trap them, and spreading chemicals to terminate them.
That said, is it worth getting an exterminator for rats? Yes. Not only do they help get rid of your problem, but they will also help you prevent it from happening again. The average cost of hiring a rat exterminator is around $350 but can go as high as $800, depending on the company.
Before you decide to contact one, we suggest applying these practical tips first. These will help you prepare your home before the rat terminator arrives.
Pay Attention to Signs of a Rat Infestation
Fortunately for us, rats are not as discreet as other household pests like termites and cockroaches. They leave around a trail of evidence that suggests their presence. Here are obvious signs you should look out for:
- Rat smell, similar to the smell of ammonia or metals
- Sounds of screeching, scratching, and rustling
- Traces of feces, urine, and food crumbs around the house
- Small gaps in the walls or ceilings
- Chipped food wrappers or plastic containers
Identify the Cause of Your Rat Infestation
It pays to know the reason behind your rat infestation. Once you know what is attracting rats to reside in your home, you will be able to avoid them in the future. Understanding why rat infestations occur will also guide you in evaluating potential rat exterminators.
Most cases are caused by ordinary living conditions, including the following.
Food
Rats are not particular about where they scavenge their food or what kind they find, as long as they’re able to eat. They could easily make their way to leftover food on the counter, snack items in the pantry, or items packed inside plastic containers.
Water
Along with food, they of course need regular water intake to survive. Rats are known to thrive in water sources, like stagnant water and dirty pools. In fact, rats know how to swim in bodies of water and can continuously tread for up to three days.
Shelter
Rats are always on the lookout for shelter to nest and raise their young. Although they are usually found inside holes and gaps on the walls and ceilings, you must also be wary of leaf piles, flower gardens, and other areas around your home.
Garbage
Rats can be found in unsanitary corners of a house, like piles of garbage. It is their ideal home, where they can constantly find food, water, and shelter.
Construction Sites
If you are renovating an empty room in your house, be cautious of rats residing there as well. They could use it as a nesting area, or just as a way to chew into wooden walls.
Rat-proof Your Home
Once you’ve spotted potentially vulnerable spots in your home, the next step would be to correct these issues. Here is a quick checklist you can easily do on your own.
- Empty your counters of food and water.
- Seal off small holes in your walls, ceilings, and furniture.
- Get rid of sources of stagnant water.
- Regularly clean your home and avoid leaving the trash out.
- Conduct regular maintenance of your garden, including leaf piles, bushes, and plant gardens.
- Place rat traps around your home. Be sure to include food like peanut butter and fruits as bait.
Hire a Rat Exterminator
These small steps might solve your rat problem and send them looking for a new home to reside in. But if all else fails, and if you want to make sure the rats don’t return, the best solution would be to hire a rat exterminator. Here is a rundown of the services terminators usually offer:
- Property inspection
- Customized treatment based on the inspection
- Extermination through chemicals, traps, and baits
- Securing common areas where rats are usually found, such as the attic, roof, wall gaps, vents, pipes, and garage
- Disposal of dead rats
- Recommendations for prevention
The cost of hiring a rat exterminator will depend on the services you need, but it will be worth it to regain the peace of mind of living in a rat related problem free home once again.