Rats are carriers of a huge number of various diseases that are very dangerous for humans. Rodents not only inhabit the basement, but can even make their way to homes if they find conditions that they consider suitable for their lives: poor sanitation, poorly sealed holes and holes through which you can find a hole. These mammals are characterized by a fast breeding rate, and therefore the fight against rodents is a very important task.
The habitat of pests is shallow burrows, as well as nests abandoned by other animals. In rare cases, a person may encounter a whole colony, because by nature rats are loners. Rodents can breed year-round: on average, from 2 to 20 baby rats are born in a litter.
What is rat deratization
The word "deratization" itself came from the French language and literally means "extermination of rats." This includes various techniques developed by humans to eliminate mice, moles, and, of course, rats. There are some preventive methods that can minimize the risk of rodents in the living area of a person.
If we talk about the first option, then the conditions are created for rodents in which they simply cannot exist: lack of food, water, constant scare. All this makes rats leave human territory. The second is the effective fight against rats by using radical measures to destroy this species.
Today, there are a huge number of ways to get rid of rodents, but you should not forget that animals have amazing collective intelligence. And if at least one individual falls into the trap or eats the poisoned bait, then others will no longer fall for such things.
The most famous methods
As mentioned above, there are many options for fighting rats, and therefore it is worth talking about the most commonly used methods:
- Rat deratization may be biological. In this case, rodents serve as food for other animals. Cats occupy the first place, but there are also some dog breeds that can come to the aid of humans, such as a fox terrier or a dachshund.
- The physiological method means the installation of various traps and mousetraps, as well as the use of boiling water, kerosene, gasoline or acetone. All these tools are used to fill holes.
- Ultrasound. It uses the so-called rat repeller. A special device makes a sound that the human ear does not perceive, but rodents simply cannot stand it.
- The use of chemicals. This includes the most radical methods, giving a 100% guarantee of getting rid of unwanted neighborhoods. Here they apply: spraying poisons, arranging poisoned baits, gases (carbon dioxide, sulphurous), etc.
Some aspects
Before embarking on the destruction of holes, it is worth remembering that rats can gnaw wood, sheets of plywood and even cement with their teeth. Parts made of soft metals such as zinc, copper or tin will not become an obstacle for them.
When closing holes, it is recommended to use sand-cement mixtures with the addition of broken glass.
Treatment of premises from rats is most often carried out with the help of gasification. Sulfur or carbon dioxide is used here, however, this technique is unacceptable for an apartment or a private house.
What you need to know about traps
Rat deratization can be carried out in the old and tested way, namely with the use of traps and traps. Such devices are convenient to use in places where rats have not yet settled in large numbers.
Some people, using improvised materials, are engaged in the manufacture of rat traps, traps and traps on their own. The easiest way is to make a glue trap. Glue is applied on cardboard or plastic in strips of 4-6 cm, and food is placed between the strips. Trying to get a tidbit, the rodent is sure to stick. The rat will no longer be able to get out on his own. By the way, there are much more mechanical means manufactured by industrial methods than homemade products.
It is useful to know that home-made and professional tools are united by one factor - safety for people and animals, in such traps there is no poison for rats. In order for rodents to become interested in tasty lures, delicacies must be laid out using gloves. Otherwise, the rats, smelling the human smell, will not go into the set trap.
Pesticides
It is possible to remove rodents from a private house with the help of pesticides; “Rat” is one of the most effective means. Such a drug is freely available in specialized stores.
If we talk about how to permanently get rid of rats, then this tool is a wonderful solution. As soon as the animal swallows the poison, it will die after a few minutes. It would be ideal if the rodent manages to get out into the courtyard before death. Otherwise, an unpleasant smell will come from the corpse, but finding a dead rat is quite difficult. Animals climb into the risers, under the floor, into the collector and other places inaccessible to humans.
To avoid such a nuisance, it is recommended to use other means: “Ratidom”, “Goliath”. They also give a 100% guarantee and effect, but act somewhat differently. The rodent begins to experience a lack of oxygen, and therefore tries to leave the premises, to be on the street, where death will overtake him.
So, the listed funds are the most convenient anti-rat drugs to use.
Use of ultrasound
Pets and humans do not hear the whole range of sounds, and therefore there are frequencies that are safe for everyone except "uninvited guests." Moreover, in rodents, both the nervous system and hearing are affected. Feelings lead to pain and panic. Rat deratization will be much more effective if we use models in which ultrasonic purity can be changed, which eliminates the rat’s addiction to it.
Most electronic devices are easy to install, and they can affect a small area (one room). In this case, there should not be many rodents.
People's councils
If there is no desire to use chemical agents, then it is worth trying to use long-known means.
The most effective use of gypsum powder and flour. Both components are taken in equal proportions. By the way, instead of flour, potato starch is also suitable. Roll the mixture into balls, put in rat feeders. Deratization consists in the fact that after eating and entering the body of a rodent water, gypsum powder begins to crystallize directly in the animal’s stomach. This leads to death.
There is one trick here. Next to the "feed" you need to put a bowl of water. Poison is placed next to burrows, spoiled food, and excrement.
Some more useful recipes
No less harmful substance for rats is soda. You will need:
- sodium bicarbonate - ½ cup;
- flour - ½ cup;
- granulated sugar - 1 cup.
Mix and decompose all components in those places where pests were found. Soda leads to gas formation in the intestines of rodents, which will cause death.
Means such as ash, vinegar, kerosene, turpentine also do not like animals. Wormwood, ledum or tansy are laid out next to rat holes. All this is also poison for rats.
Professionals rush to the rescue
Some people, upon detection of an undesirable neighborhood, turn to special services, which, after conducting some activities, will help get rid of the problem. Here are the services they provide:
- inspection of basement and residential premises;
- selection of the necessary funds;
- layout of baits;
- if it is impossible to use chemicals, they will trap rodents with mechanical devices;
- deratization of holes, destruction of broods;
- elimination of passages leading to residential premises;
- carrying out preventive measures.
What to do after disinfestation
If the rat population is very large, then the repellents here will be powerless, and therefore it is recommended to use methods that destroy rodents. In such a situation, animals often die in residential premises:
- space under the floor;
- burrows;
- cellars;
- attics;
- panel ceilings.
Of course, the decomposition of the corpse begins, an extremely unpleasant smell appears. In this case, proceed as follows:
- independent search for rats and its utilization. Gloves, a respirator, and also tight packing (several packages) are surely used;
- cleaning the area where a dead rodent was found, and disinfecting;
- airing the room;
- carrying out washing of all things;
- Acetic solution is used to process furniture. For hard surfaces, peroxide, soap and soda are used as a mixture.
Thanks to these rather simple recommendations, it’s not so difficult to get rid of the unpleasant smell in the living room.
Rat rats will not be needed if they adhere to sanitary standards both in the house and in the area near it. It is also important to respond in a timely manner to any appearance of even a single pest. Compliance with these simple measures will prevent the appearance of rodents.