How To Catch a Rat? Finding a rats nest in your home is like finding yourself in the middle of a scream-inducing nightmare. There are so many reasons you wouldn’t want to come across a rat of any kind in your house. The fact that rats look frightening is the least of your worries. Instead, think of the property damage they create, the messes they make, and the diseases they spread. So, it is recommended to call rat control services in Toronto once you notice even one rat around your property.
Fortunately, learning how to catch a rat and remove it from your home can help. Rat-catching tricks work for you if you only have one or two rats running through your home. However, if you have a rat infestation, you will need to get rid of them using the help or a professional rather than trying to do it on your own.
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How to Control Rats at Home
Rats in the home can be quite destructive, not to mention dangerous. In Canada, they carry a risk of rabies, and a rat bite is probably not a pleasant experience, especially if you get an infection. Human beings have had a love-hate relationship with these pests for centuries, but there are many options available to keep rats out of your home. Residential rat controlis simple to get a handle on.
First, keep in mind that any bit of food left around will attract rats. Pet waste and garbage bags will also attract them, so it’s recommended that you keep food well-sealed in thick steel or glass canisters or refrigerated and that you keep all your garbage in a sturdy steel trashcan. Rats have powerful front teeth and will chew through plastic.
- Keep your yard, attic and basement well maintained and check these places as often as possible.
- Check Ontario newspapers and listings to see if others in the Toronto area have had similar rat problems.
- Avoid storing anything like cloth scraps or grass clippings without sealing them in metal bins.
- Make sure if you have children to instruct them not to touch or feed the rats if you suspect an infestation.
Rats can be identified by droppings, holes or markings on food boxes, strange noises in walls, sofas or other fixtures, trails of urine, crumbs, rodent-like teeth marks on items, damage to books or paper, torn-up fabric, and bits of food hoarded in secluded spots.
Numerous types of traps and rat poisons are readily available, but not advised. These things are dangerous, and when set up improperly they can be inhumane to the rats. It’s best to hire a licensed pest control expert for the job.
Pest Control Toronto – The Exterminators Inc. will work with you to get rid of rats without damaging your house or posing a risk to your pets or children.
Avoid quick internet fixes and do-it-yourself solutions like bleach traps or peanut butter jar traps. It is also heavily inadvisable to try to feed the rats yourself in an attempt to lure them out or “domesticate” them. Hand-feeding wild rats poses a serious risk of being bitten or scratched.
Rats, as we all know, are hardy and have the uncanny ability to thrive in any environment, and can multiply quickly. Usually, rats are often not noticed up to the point of infestation. In winter times, rats tend to move indoors. Rats attack crops and grains in farms as well as processed food kept in the homes, stores, restaurants, and shops. They also contaminate stored food with their fur, urine, or feces.
Catching a Norway Rat vs a Roof Rat
The methods used for catching a Norway Rat versus a Roof Rat are as different as they are different species and therefore need two widely different approaches. The Norway Rat and the Roof Rat are two of the most common species found in Canadian homes all across the country. The Norway Rat is primarily found close to the ground and underground as they usually dig burrows to house themselves. When rats dig burrows in yards they do it close to a food source so that they have easy access to it. To catch a Norway Rat you have to use the appropriate traps for it. As early mentioned, exterior bait traps should be placed between the food source and the burrows along a wall. When Norway Rats find themselves inside a house snap traps should be used as it is humane and reusable options. It also avoids that rats die in an inaccessible area which can lead to a horrible stench.
To Catch a Roof Rat, one needs to know a bit about their behavior and their nature. Roof Rats prefer to stay above ground and excellent climbers. They often infiltrate attics and other parts of the house that are elevated. They make their way through the tree branches, rooftops, cables, and have no problems reaching any place in the house. To find out whether you are dealing with Roof Rats you have to look out for the following signs :
- Droppings. Roof rat droppings have pointed edges and are about 3cm long.
- look for gnaw marks and other materials that are scattered on the floor.
- Rat tracks.
The best way to catch a roof rat is to catch them at their destination since it would be hard to install a rat trap in let’s say a tree, so if you suspect rat activity in a space it is recommended to place a trap in the space along the walls. The reason why interior bait stations are not recommended is that when rats eat from the bait they have the possibility to go to inaccessible places which can lead to an incredible horrible smell.
What to Use To Kill Rats – Snap Traps and Bait Stations
The best way to keep away rats from points of an infestation is by removing food sources, rubbish and removal of nesting areas to prevent breeding. Today, the supermarket counters are all filled with over-the-counter snap traps and baits for exterminating rats. Most individuals try to control these pests on their own, only to fail later.
However, any of these single measures of control is likely to be ineffective. Improper use of bait stations, snap traps or rat poison for exterminating rats can cause many difficulties for the users. Regulations imposed include the use of only tamper-resistant bait stations. They should be kept out of reach of children and wildlife that are not being targeted.
Ontario, also, has strict regulations as far as the use of rat poison is concerned when killing rats outdoors. Only solid bait types are allowed to be used. Loose bait forms are prohibited. Anti-coagulants cannot be used either. There is also clear demarcation as to which of the baits can be used indoors and which of them outdoors in the fields.
Trap Options
You have a few different trap options to consider when attempting to catch a rat. You should understand what your options are so you can determine which one will work best for you. When choosing a trap, keep in mind that Canada has many regulations in place that require humanely carrying out lethal and non-lethal removal of pests.
Exterior bait stations and where to place them?
For people who are dealing with rats that are outside, notably their yard, should consider placing exterior bait stations. The problem that most people run into is that they do not know where to place the traps in order for it to be effective. To place them effectively, you have to know a bit about their routes and the way they travel. In general, traps should be placed against walls because rodents tend to travel in such a way that they stay under the radar. Second, bait stations should be placed between their food source. To find out an approximate location, look for signs of tracks, gnawing, droppings, and rub marks. Traps should be at least placed 5 meters to at least 7 meters from the burrow. Rats are quite cautious about new situations, so it is advised to practice patience. Sometimes it can take up to 14 days before they will go to the bait stations.
Electronic Traps
Electronic traps work well for the humane trapping and removal of rats. They offer a no-touch, no-see design that allows you to capture and kill the rat humanely. Once captured and killed, you can dispose of the rat without ever having to touch or see it. The trap is also reusable and does not require the use of chemical agents or poisons.
Bait the trap as instructed on the packaging and place it in an elevated area, such as along a high wall. Electronic traps are for indoor use only, so do not attempt to use them outdoors. If you have pets or children, make sure you use this trap with caution. Do not place the trap in an area where children or pets can reach it or attempt to play with it.
Fortunately, electronic traps offer a high voltage shock kill method that is humane. The shock kills the rat instantly so there is no unnecessary fear or suffering. Many traps use a voltage shock between 7,000 and 8,000 volts for an instant and painless death.
Snap Traps
Snap traps are well-known considering they have been around for far longer than most other traps. It has a proven quick kill design that is humane for use in areas with regulations, such as Canada. It is also an economical trap. They are reusable, meaning you can quickly and easily reset the trap.
You do not need to use chemicals or poisons to bait the rat, nor should you. It is best to use snap traps in groups of two or three in high traffic areas where you commonly see rats. Make sure you also secure the trap to the floor. The only problem many people have with snap traps is that you can see the rat in the trap and you must dispose of it by hand.
When removing the rat from the trap, make sure you wear rubber gloves to avoid contamination. Also, wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Clean the trap well before resetting it so you can avoid the transmission of diseases rats carry. Beware that snap traps can pose injury hazards for children and pets. Make sure you place traps out of reach of children and pets.
Live Traps
Live traps are another option, and it is perhaps the most humane option there is because it does not require you to kill the rodent. Instead, the trap capture the rat live, which means you are in charge of releasing it. Unfortunately, live traps may allow the rat to re-enter your home. Make sure you release rats at least one mile from your home if you plan to catch and release.
Also, make sure you do not use any poisons or chemicals when using a live trap. Unfortunately, other curious critters may make their way inside the trap, so you could potentially kill something other than a rat if you use poisons and chemicals. Instead, bait the trap with treats rats find tempting, such as peanut butter, dried fruit, hot dogs, or bacon.
Glue Traps
You will find that many stores sell glue traps. However, they are NOT an option you should consider. There are many people who will try to convince you that a glue trap is a humane method for trapping and disposal since it keeps the rat alive. Unfortunately, glue traps are not humane, which means you may find yourself in violation of Canadian wildlife regulations.
Glue traps use a strong, proprietary glue to capture the rat and keep it in place. However, the capture pest experiences unnecessary fear. Out of fear and anxiety, rats will chew their limbs off to escape the trap. If they do not escape, they will instead experience an unnecessarily slow and agonizing death.
Professional Trapping
Your best method of trapping rats in your home is to call a professional. A professional will likely use one of the trapping methods mentioned above with the exception of the glue trap. However, a professional has the knowledge needed to safely dispose of the rat without creating health hazards.
Advantages of Hiring Professional Exterminators
Reputed, established and professional pest control companies have technicians that are fully qualified, trained, licensed and insured to do the job. They are armed with the right tools and the latest techniques to completely exterminate the rats in the shortest possible time.
A majority of the professional pest control companies offer an initial quote for the job on a no-obligation basis. They also work on the premise of a money-back guarantee, that is, they ensure a full refund if they are unable to get rid of the rats.
Keeping all these points in mind, fast and safe results are obtained when a professional pest control company with professional pest control technicians is hired for getting rid of rats. If you are experiencing a problem with rats, you need to take action immediately. Call The Exterminators at 647-496-2211 or check our online shop for some rat control products.
Article Updated: October 23, 2020
