Rats are not as cheeky as they have been made out to be. They can be timid, cautious and sometimes take the risks of going into your house. In case you have a garage that is filled with greenery or a garage that is full of old junk, then you have a few reasons to wonder how to keep rats out of your garage. If you already have rats in your garage, don’t panic, we will let you in on the known rat repellents and rat-proofing techniques that will be effective for your garage.
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How do you know if you have rats?
One of the easiest ways to know if you have rats is if you can spot a living or dead rat in your garage. It often signifies that there are more. Rat control measures can help you get rid of rats. Other signs include droppings, chewed packages, cables, plastic and wooden material.
Rats rarely get out in the open since they are more afraid of humans than we are of them. However, once they grow in number and have limited hiding space, they are forced out into the open. At this stage, they are the most troublesome.
What attracts rats into my garage?
It’s important to note that rats just don’t pick out whatever they come across as their new home. There are usually a few key factors that attract them to your garage. You need to get yourself familiarized with how to deal with rat infestations.
Food sources
Like any other animal, rats will not remain in the same spot if there are no sources of food. They are not picky animals, therefore, just about anything edible will attract them. In case you have fruits and vegetables stored in your garage, or any other unpackaged food, be rest assured that they will visit you.
Water
Rats will invade your garage if they have a regular source of water to quench their thirst. In case you have leaky pipes, its advisable to fix them. Also, avoid letting still water puddle on your floor.
Cramped Spaces
Rats just like any other rodent love cramped spaces. The clustered environment provides them with warmer shelter and a place to hide and nest from predators. Therefore, decluttering your garage is perhaps one of the simplest and most effective ways to get rid of rats.
Past infestations
In case you had a previous infestation that you got rid of, the chances are that there might still be some nesting residue. The residue has pheromones that have the potential to attract new rats back into your garage.
Keeping rats out of your garage
Here are a few methods that you can implement to keep rats out of your garage. These methods will help minimize the risk of an infestation occurring in your garage in the first place.
- Avoid storing food or still water. It’s important that there isn’t anything in your garage that will attract rats. They have the capability of smelling food no matter how well you package it.
- Clean your garage. Ensure that your garage is well swept and there aren’t any obstructions that can be used by small animals for shelter.
- Check for holes and entry-points rats can use to enter homes. If you have rats in your garage, then be sure they used holes. Regularly look around and make sure there aren’t new holes. Also, fill out old holes, but after you are certain that you don’t have any rats. In case you have rats, and you seal off the holes, it will only make the situation worse. The rats will lack an exit point and might die in between the walls. You don’t want decomposing carcasses in hidden places.
- Check the attic. A lot of rat infestations start in the attic. Ensure that you trim any overhanging branches that are close to your roof. Rats use these as pathways into your attic.
- Hire a Rat Exterminator. This is perhaps the most effective method you could use to get rid of rats in your attic. A professional pest control expert has the necessary skills, equipment and knowledge to get rid of rats out of your garage for good
