Should I hire a pro or remove rats myself?

If the rat infestation in your household is bad, then it is good to contact the professionals. Pest companies are equipped and have the knowledge and skills to approach a rat infestation swiftly and successfully. In a case of large scale infestation, professionals will use substances that are registered for professional use, and that will solve the rat infestation problem quickly.

Make sure to walk around the household with a professional so that he can get an insight into the situation and then discuss with the professional his plan of treatment for the rat infestation in your home. If you have noticed a few rats in and around your home, this is the moment to act – be active as soon as you notice even one rat, because at that moment it is still possible to solve this problem on your own.

Pest companies cost money and before the situation gets out of control, it is worth trying to solve the problem on your own. If you feel confident about yourself and want to save some money, do some actions on your own before contacting the pest company.

First of all, it is important to seal up all the entrances into your home that can be used as entry points by rats. Rats (and even larger species) are very skilled when it comes to getting into your home, in a search for food and shelter. It is not possible to completely cover even the smallest of holes and openings, but making it difficult for them to enter your home might discourage them from trying. Seal up all holes and cracks in your home where rodents may be gaining access. Usage of traps is also a good method to fight the rats that got into your home.

Put a little bit of peanut butter on a snap trap and they will arrive, attracted by the smell of it. Snap traps are very effective, but you must take care to place them where they can't be found / stepped on by pets or children. Whichever trap you choose to use, it should be checked regularly so that you can remove the trapped rat as soon as it meets its destiny, because snap traps are designed in such a way that they kill a pest very quickly and effectively. Glue traps aren't a good choice because it might not keep a larger animal down, but it will glue on the animal's fur and disable it from functioning normally and can lead to a slow death from starvation or injuries.

Go back to the How to Get Rid of Rats page or email us if you have any other questions about Should I hire a pro or remove rats myself?