Rats are like tiny, furry ninjas. They can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter. Yes, a quarter. I didn’t believe it until I saw one shimmy through a gap under my sink that I swore was sealed. So grab a flashlight and play detective. Check behind the fridge, under the stove, and around pipes. Look for gaps in your foundation or soffits. Any hole bigger than your thumb needs to be closed.
Use steel wool for the tiny holes. It sounds dumb, but they can’t chew through it. Stuff it in tight, then cover it with expanding foam or caulk. For bigger gaps, use hardware cloth or sheet metal. And don’t forget the door sweeps—if you can see daylight under your door, a rat can waltz right in. “Hello, welcome to my kitchen.”
Traps: The Old School Way
Now, the fun part: getting them out. Skip the poison, okay? I know it sounds easy, but poisoned rats crawl into walls and die. Then you have a lovely rotting smell for weeks. It’s like a horror movie, but with less screaming and more gagging. Stick with snap traps. They’re cheap, they’re fast, and they work.
Bait them with something irresistible. Peanut butter is the gold standard. But I’ve had luck with bacon, dried fruit, or even a little marshmallow—rats have a sweet tooth. Place the traps perpendicular to the wall, so the bait side touches the baseboard. Rats hug walls when they run. It’s their little rat habit. Set multiple traps. Three or four in a line? That’s a welcoming committee they won’t forget.
Rid Of Rats In House
Oh, and don’t touch the traps with bare hands. Rats smell your human stink and get suspicious. Wear gloves. It makes you feel like a secret agent on a gross mission. “Operation: No More Scurrying.”