Electronic rat traps are considered the most modern and effective traps for rodents. These traps lure rodents with food and baits them onto a metal plate inside that immediately electrocutes them. It is the most humane approach in comparison to snap traps and poisonous traps – the rat's death is nearly instant.
Rats also crawl up trees during the day to look for food sources. In a city, rats tend to hide in sewers and other public places during the day where they can avoid predators. They will only come out when it's dark or when they feel that it is safe to do so.
Outside, roof rats can be found nesting high up in trees. However, these rodents can also be found living in burrows under plants, dense vegetation, and in woodpiles.
So, what is the fastest way to get rid of rats? Pest control is the most efficient method to get rid of rats quickly but the usage of mouse traps, snap traps, chemical baits, and live traps are all effective methods to get rid of rats as quickly and effectively as possible.
Get rid of rats fast Using Traps
Place traps along the walls, behind furniture, and in areas where you have noticed rat droppings or other signs of activity. Use bait such as peanut butter, cheese, or fruit to lure rats into the traps. Check and replace traps regularly until you have caught all the rats.
Plants that grow fruit and vegetables will attract rats since they provide an excellent source of food for them. Typically, rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits; for example, oranges, avocados, peaches, lemons, and figs. They are also very fond of walnuts and almonds.
Rats' nests often look like woven balls and can be similar in appearance to a bird's nest. However, rats usually build nests from materials other than leaves and twigs. Most species will use any soft material they can find, like shredded paper, cardboard, and cloth.
Roof rats are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active at night. They are agile climbers and are often found in attics, trees, and aboveground nesting sites.
Peppermint Oil – The scent of peppermint smells nice in a home, but this pleasant odor is something that rats dislike. According to a study published in Thailand in 2010, rats spent significantly less time hanging around in places where the scent of peppermint lingered.
While rats might leave a nest temporarily if disturbed, they will likely only nest somewhere else close by, no doubt creating multiple nests that exacerbate the issue. On top of that, there's also a risk that they will return to the same space if you haven't properly dealt with the nest.
UNDERSTANDING A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A RAT
Rats leave their nest for food and water, and breeding. The time when rats are away from their nests is generally between sunset and sunrise, ie they are nocturnal, with most of their eating occurring first and last thing during this period.
In most of the United States, rats are most active in fall, when the weather starts to get cooler. The change in weather triggers rats to start searching for a place to hide in the lead-up to winter. This is when they're most curious and active about what you have in your home.
Poor housekeeping can easily result in a rat infestation. Use brush strips where there is a gap under a door. Failing to report a rat infestation is not wise – they do not disappear of their own accord.
Almost all rat vocalizations are undetectable by the human ear because they are ultrasonic. The sounds of rats you will hear are movement noises. You can hear scratching, gnawing, and rustling in your attic or inside walls. Rats also chomp and grind their teeth (bruxing).
Rats are social animals, so if you see one rat then there are likely to be more nearby. Rats have the ability to jump around three feet into the air, four feet horizontally and can fall from a height of up to 50 feet without getting injured.
Trash. Like food, left out, unsecured trash is also what attracts mice and rats. Trash is the perfect marriage of two of the things rats and mice need the most: food and shelter. Rodents love trash so much, many large and densely populated cities, and the resulting heaps of trash, face uncommonly high rat infestations.
Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception. Mothballs contain a small amount of naphthalene and can be a deterrent in large quantities, however, they aren't powerful enough to get rid of mice and rodents.
Electric Traps
These battery-powered traps are easy to set up and deliver a high-voltage shock that's lethal to rats but won't harm humans or larger pets. They step on the metal plate, which delivers enough voltage to kill the rat instantly. Just make sure the batteries are functional.
There is no single food that will kill rats instantly. But there are a few foods that can become fatal to them when eaten in large quantities. These include chocolate, avocados, and peanuts. When you want to kill a rat, it is best to trap it and then drown or hit it on the head with a heavy object.