Rats in your home are a big problem? Proofing Your Home Against Rats and Other Rodents They are after three things: shelter, water, and food. Rats need to have a daily source of water, unlike mice. They drink only about 15 ml to 60 ml of water each day, making it necessary for rats to have an easy and consistent water supply. However, rats eat nearly anything but have a varied diet because they eat small amounts of various foods.

Proofing your home against rats and rodents

Rats are versatile and agile and can take advantage of any opportunity to enter your home. Black rats prefer to stay in lofts and are good climbers. Brown rats prefer building burrows near walls, garages, and sheds. They can also swim in drain and sewer systems and are adept at using damaged pipework.

To prevent rat infestation, you can seek the help of pest control Doncaster experts who are experienced and knowledgeable to quickly, efficiently, and safely catch and remove rats and other rodents from your home. 

On your own, you can also do the following:

• Cover vents and air bricks with fine galvanised wired mesh to prevent mice and other small rodents from entering while allowing air to circulate. 
• Attach brush or bristle strips to the bottom of doors that are not snug to the floor.
• Close toilet seat lids when not in use, as rats can swim up to u-bends in toilets and damaged sewer pipes. Rats can also enter through drainage outlets and drain pipes. Use metal screens or tightly fitting metal grates to cover drains. Fix breaks and other damages to pipework immediately. 
• Fill small openings and holes around pipework and utility cables with concrete, stainless steel wire wool, or caulking. You can also use aluminium or steel plating to cover the gaps. 
• Squirrels and rats can climb overhanging branches and electrical cables to enter attics and loft spaces under eaves or gaps caused by broken roof tiles. Ensure you seal the gaps with wire mesh and repair roof damage. 
• Avoid putting plants near your home, trim tree branches back from your home, and keep the grass short and, if possible, away from your property to prevent rats and other rodents from climbing, burrowing, or nesting in these things. 

Practical ways to keep rats and rodents away

Aside from repairing broken places where rats can slip through, you should consider these tips.

• Keep food items that do not need refrigeration in glass or metal containers with tight covers, so rats cannot gnaw on them.
• Remove clutter in the house and your garden.
• Put rubbish bags in metal bins with fitted lids to stop rodents from eating the contents.
• Clean up leftover bird seeds and pet food. Store them in metal or other strong containers with fitted lids.

It is important to clean your house thoroughly and inspect the interior and exterior of your house regularly to prevent rodents of all kinds from entering and infesting your home. Call a professional pest controller if you see rats or mice droppings and gnawed objects in your home. Likewise, learn preventative measures to stop them from coming back.