Since rats are indirectly responsible for nearly wiping out half of Europe during the Black Plague, when they invade your home, you need to get rid of them fast.

Rats carry a lot of other diseases with them. If you find one or several in your home, contact your local rat control service company.

But there’s more you can do to prepare before they arrive. Here’s a guide on the steps to take.

Purge Clutter From Around and in Your Home

Clutter causes overwhelm, frustration, and even anxiety. But when it also leads to a rat infestation, you have to do something about it.

Piles of magazines and newspapers are great places for rats to nest in. So toss any that are stained with urine and feces and recycle the rest.

You can find the same information online.

Pick up piles of clothing as well. Rats really enjoy nesting in fabrics.

But clearing up the clutter doesn’t just end with the inside of your home. Check the outside areas and remove all clutter there as well.

Piles of leaves and grass are both favorites for rats to nest in.

Clearing out the clutter remove places for rats to hide. It will make it easier for your rat control company to find and eliminate all traces of your rat infestation.

Seal Up Food Sources

Rats love getting into your food. So unless you feel like keeping these nasty vermin as pets, stop feeding them.

Check all the places where you normally store your food items. Don’t forget to include your pet food.

While most rat control companies provide rat removal services that are safe for you and your family, you’ll still want to head to the store to buy containers.

Clear plastic containers are great for storing food items like cereal, rice, and even pasta. This way, you can see exactly what type of food is stored in there.

You can also tell when to buy more. But most importantly, the plastic prevents rats from gnawing their way into your food.

Pet food comes in larger quantities. This is where purchasing a specifically designed pet food storage can is useful. It can keep pests in while ensuring your pets food stays fresh.

Seal up Noticeable Holes

Rats don’t only carry disease, they cause a lot of damage to your home. So after removing all your clutter, take a look around your home.

Check your attic. Rats are great climbers so don’t be fooled into thinking they can’t get up there.

Check inside your walls. If you’re hearing scratching noises, especially at night, you have rats in your walls.

Don’t forget to head down to your basement. Rats love dark, moist areas to hang out in.

Since rats can squeeze into a space as small as 3.8 centimeters, it’s possible they’re coming in through your drains.

Your garage is another area where rats love to spend time in. Since they can also damage your car, seal your garage door with brush strips.

Patch the holes with steel wool. Seal all holes both inside and outside your home that you can find.

Get a Service Plan from Your Rat Control Company

Just because you get rid of your rat infestation once, doesn’t mean they won’t come back.

So make sure you get a service plan from your rat control service company. They’ll make sure you never see or hear a rat again.

We offer service plans and can handle any type of pest control problem. Schedule your appointment now.