How to Get Rid of Attic Rats

No one is happy to find that they have rats in the attic. Rats scurry and make noise and cause fire hazards from chewing on wires. Over 30 diseases are associated with rats and their droppings. Besides calling a professional, there are several things you can do yourself to get rid of rats in the attic. Of the many strategies, some are better than others, and some just aren’t worth your time.

Use Poison

Friends and family may suggest using poison to kill the rats. This is the actually worst thing you can do. It won’t kill all of the rats. The rats that the poison does kill may be inside your walls by that time and you’ll be stuck with that horrible odor of the rotting dead rats. That’s definitely not something you want to deal with.

Close Entry Points

This may be the most important step in getting rid of your attic rats. You must find out how they are getting into the house and seal those entry points. Once the entry point is closed, they can no longer gain entry into your house and you just have to concentrate on the ones already inside.

Use Snap Traps

The best way to remove rats is with snap traps. They are very effective and kill immediately. Another benefit of using the snap traps is that you can remove them before odor even becomes an issue. After trapping, you’ll need to monitor for new activity.

Use Cage Traps

Cage traps are the most humane way to get rid of attic rats. However, relocating the rats is too much of a hassle for many people. If you aren’t careful in your relocation efforts, you’re just moving the pesky rodents out of your attic and into someone else’s attic.

Clean and Decontaminate

You must clean and decontaminate the attic. Rats leave behind parasites and diseases. They also leave behind a scent. Rats communicate with scent, and if other rats outside can smell it, they will find and chew they way in through a new entry point. Definitely, have the attic cleaned and decontaminated.

Implementing one single strategy will not work. Combining the different strategies will result in a better success rate. Once you get rid of the attic rats, you can rest easier without the worry of noise, hazards, or disease. If you have a weak moment and miss the little furballs, you can always curl up on the couch and watch Ratatouille!