How to prevent rats

Discovering rats in your home or business can be very distressing. Luckily there are ways you can deter rats and avoid an infestation. Proofing your home to deny them entry and removing easy access to food and water can really make a difference. Rats need easy and consistent access to a water source, even though they only drink between 15–60ml per day. They will eat almost anything available, but they do prefer to eat small amounts of a variety of different foods.

See our tips below on practical ways you can help deter a rat problem:

• Keep foodstuffs in metal or glass containers with tight fitting lids.
• Tidy inside the house and around the garden — less clutter means less places to hide.
• Place outdoor rubbish bags in metal bins with securely fitted lids to stop them feeding from contents.
• Clean up pet food and bird seed debris, and store pet food in robust containers with fitted lids - preferably above ground level.
• Keep gardens free from debris. If you have compost heap don’t include organic food waste, as this will attract them.

If you have already spotted signs of rats, such as droppings, you may already be too late.

Call Rentokil Initial on 400 820 8770 to arrange a survey to check for signs of rats.

Rats will make the most of any opportunity to enter your home in search for shelter and food. Black rats are good climbers and will happily inhabit roof space; while brown rats tend to burrow more and are very adept at swimming in sewers and drain systems. Both species will gnaw at gaps to enlarge them enough for easy entry. We understand the habits and behavior of different rat species and know the correct method in pest proofing your home or premises.

Tamper-resistant rat bait stations professionally managed by Rentokil Initial are trusted rat deterrent and is safe to use even in locations where children or pets are present.

Our pest control experts can provide the most suitable treatments to a rat problem identified in your home or business. Professional services are often the most reliable way to guarantee long-term solution to a pest problem.

Call Rentokil Initial today on 400 820 8770 or contact us to discuss if you need a site inspection and an effective rat control programme.