How to Get Rid of Roof Rats in the Philippines

What are ways to get rid of roof rats?

• Sanitation
• Exclusion
• Baiting and Trapping
• Inspection

As much as we might try, it can be difficult to keep your home pest-free. When prevention is not possible, removing the problem becomes your next option. Out of all the pests out there, having rats in your home is one of the worst possible cases you might be experiencing right now. The noise they can make when they invade your roof and the mess they leave in your rooms is something that we’d all like to get rid of. Listed below are some of the best ways to get rid of roof rats in the Philippines.

Sanitation

The best way to keep rats away from your property and out of your roof is to control your infestation before it gets worse. This means that you have to take sanitary procedures, such as resorting to services like that of roof cleaning to protect your home.

The reason sanitation measures are important in getting rid of roof rats is that pests need a steady supply of food and water to live, and if they can receive that from your home then they will be able to thrive and breed in your house, making your infestation worse.

To reduce the number of roof rats, consider the possible food and water sources they may be getting from inside your property. Storing food in metal or plastic containers, replacing those with ill-fitting lids, and making sure the material is something that can’t be gnawed through (such as glass or hard plastic) is a good first step.

Another thing to consider is that rats can eat pretty much anything, including scraps and pet food. Remember to keep your pet supplies sealed in tight containers as well, and avoid leaving their food out in their bowls for long periods. Dispose of scraps and keep them wrapped up properly in garbage bags to make it harder for rats to access them in your bins.

Gardening is also a key step in this process. Keeping your plants and bushes trimmed and their branches away from your residence allows you to see into their plant beds and underneath easily. Removing these hiding spots and entry points to the structure of your house will make it harder for rats to invade.

Rats also use items around your house for making their nests, and removing these sources will reduce the possibility of this from happening. Recycle or properly dispose of paper and cardboard as well as yard debris from your property.

Exclusion

Exclusion is the next step of this process, and this means closing off any possible openings for more rats to come into your home. You can reduce the ease of entry for these pests and subsequently reduce the size of their population by following these tips.

Rodents can enter your home and burrow inside your structure through small openings — they can enter in spaces that are smaller than an inch! They can also fit through holes in your doors, vents, windows, or screens. This is easily done if these fixtures are ill-fitting or damaged.

So take the time to properly inspect your home. Seal any openings that fit the description above. You can seal these with any number of options, such as fine mesh, caulk, sealant, or whatever works for you. Just make sure that the material you’re using can withstand the claws and teeth of a determined rat.

You should also inspect any fixtures that might be outside your home. Flood drains and pipes can also be used by rats to enter inside, but they can be closed off using the same materials. When this is done, double-check if your doors and window screens fit properly. If not, consider getting them repaired or replaced.

Baiting and Trapping

Once you have identified where the rats are coming from and where they’re getting their food and nests from, you can begin to tackle how you want to get rid of them. Roof rats are dangerous and should be removed as soon as you know they are a problem for your household. They can carry diseases, bring in garbage and debris, and even damage your wires and pipes. If left unaddressed, your roof rats can cause additional problems for you and your family.

You could decide to bait them or trap them, both are good options for getting rid of your infestation. Baiting uses rodenticides to attract and kill these rodents. This is a good choice if you have enough outdoor space to set up your bait. This is because rats will sniff out this bait and return periodically to feed in the same spots until the poison kills them. It reduces the chances of them dying inside your home (which can pose the additional problem of finding them in your roof or walls and having to carry them out). Additionally, consider contacting experts, such as essex flat roofing, to inspect your roof and walls for gaps. Repairing these gaps not only prevents future infestations but also ensures a secure home structure.

Bait is placed in plastic containers called ‘stations’ which helps prevent other wildlife from eating it. It also prevents rain and moisture from affecting the bait and molding it. Make sure to check them regularly and that these stations have fresh bait until the infestation is dealt with.

Trapping is another option that is used indoors. Trapping does not need rodenticides to work and helps you know when and where the rat is killed. This also reduces the chances of the rat dying elsewhere, where it may be harder to remove.

Rat traps are placed where rats normally travel and usually flush against walls and pathways in your roof. The opening of these traps should be placed perpendicular to the wall for greater efficiency. You can use multiple traps in the same spot as well.

Once these traps are triggered, the rats can be carried out of your home and disposed of outdoors. Traps can be reused as long as the trigger mechanism and doors are still functional, and they tend to be durable as most traps are made of metal.

Inspection

After removing several rats from your home, you may be surprised that your baits or traps are still finding more to get rid of. The fact is that your property might have more rats than you initially thought, which makes the inspection stage important for preventing another infestation.

Inspect the foundation of your home all the way around. Any hole or gap that is even a quarter of an inch wide should be covered or repaired. Make sure to replace any broken or cracked seals around your fixtures, and check if all your doors and windows fit properly in their frames.

Also keep an eye out for gnawing damage, which is a good sign that more rats are trying to access your residence. If this type of damage is left alone, they could wear a new entryway for themselves and their friends.

Key Takeaway

These four ways can help you try and tackle your roof rat problem on your own. By addressing the source of the problem, you can eliminate any possible additional pests and begin to reduce the number of rats in your home. However, if you still feel the need for professional help, Topbest has some of the best solutions in the Philippines to get rid of roof rats. Contact us now to avail of their services!