Pest-Control-Expert.com
A property manager's guide to pest control
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Rat Control Products
Not only do rats contaminate food and carry diseases, the can also cause
damage to electrical systems, phone lines, and HVAC systems.
There are many different rat killer products that are used to fend off
vermin infestations. All rat control products work
to some extent but some vermin are smarter than others so one particular
product likely won't always eliminate the entire rat problem.
This is the main reason why so many rat control products are available.
Rat Poison/Rat Bait
Rat poison is made for both interior and exterior use. Exterior rat
poison is more resistent to the elements. Obviously the idea is to place
the rat bait in areas vermin will eat
it and later die. Rat poison is commonly used by pest control companies
on the outside of a residence for preventative maintenance.
Rat bait can be found in the garden section of home improvement stores
or on-line. Exterior rat poison is often placed in bait stations along
the walls
of a building or thrown in areas with ivy. Interior rat bait is often
placed in the attic or hard to reach areas.
Pros
- Easy to use, just put it anywhere
- Great for hard to reach places in attics and under houses because it can litterally be thrown where you want it to go
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Rodents can die in walls or other areas you can't get to them and start stinking
- Can be dangerous to pets and children if eaten
- Vermin will not always eat the pellets when other food is available
Rat Traps
Rat traps are the good old fashion way of killing rats. Believe it or not, from my property management experience I've
found that simple rat traps are the leading product used by pest control companies on the interior of a residence. Aside
from regular snap traps, rat glue traps and electric rat traps are also available.
Snap Traps
Rodent snap traps are spring activated and smash a rat when they are
tripped. The initial snap does not often kill a rodent
instantly and the critter may struggle a bit before it perishes. We
actually had a case where one trap went off and we could not find it
after an extensive search of the attic. The rodent must have carried it
away with him and died in a location that we
couldn't get to. We have only lost one snap trap and 90% of the time
vermin die right where they are hit.
Pros
- Very inexpensive
- You know they are affective as you see when rats are caught
- Easily Disposable
Cons
- Smart rats sometimes do avoid rat traps
- Can hurt pets or children that set off the traps on accident
- Disposing of rats after they have been killed can be unpleasant
Rat Glue Traps
Rat glue traps work by literally stick unsuspecting rats to them when
they are stepped on. They are most effective
when placed in corners because rodents often travel along the walls of a
home. Rat glue traps are also very effective when placed
in front of known rodent holes.
Pros
- Cheap
- You will sometimes catch multiple rodents with one trap
- Easily Disposable
Cons
- Really annoying trying to separate them if they are squished together in the package
- Rats can run over lower quality glue traps or old traps without getting stuck
- They can get stuck to children, pets, and shoes
- Rodents do sometimes avoid walking on glue traps altogether
Electronic Rat Traps
The newer electronic rat traps instantly kill vermin with a powerful
electric shock. Electronic rat traps are battery powered and are
activated when a rodent steps inside to go for the rat bait. They are
available on-line and in many home improvement stores
Pros
- The most humane way to kill a rodent
- Can be used over and over again
- Easy to use
Cons
- Most electronic rat traps last less than one year before failing
- More expensive than other available options
Rat Repellent
Rat repellent can be used to deter rodents from entering an area you are
trying to protect such as a garden. Rat Repellent works by
using the keen sense of smell vermin have to trick them into thinking
predators are nearby. The rat repellent contains
granules that give off the scent of territorial urine from predators.
Pros
- Safe for children and pets
- Easy to use
- Environmentally friendly
- Humane way of dealing with vermin
Cons
- Does not work for all rodents, some simply ignore it
- Must be applied again if it gets rained on
- Humans may notice the odor if it is used indoors
For our complete rat pest control guide checkout how to get rid of rats.
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