Rats are active all year round and don’t hibernate during the winter months, but they do become less active, and seek warmer habitats when the weather is colder. Rats are very resourceful and are commonly known for exploiting human sources. With over 120 million rats expected to be on the look out for food this winter, there is a high chance you could come into contact with a rat inside your home this winter.
Our warm homes are the perfect spot for rats to take shelter in the colder months, especially when your home is a source of food and nesting materials – so how can you prevent rats entering your home this winter?
- If you are feeding the birds this winter, making sure all bird feeders are kept above ground will prevent rats from being attracted closer to your home, bird feed is a food source for rats, so making sure it is high and out of sight of rats is essential for keeping them away.
- A very common way to keep rats away all year round is by keeping your garden clean and tidy at all times.
- Keeping all food in air tight containers and making sure all food is sealed is essential to keeping rats away from your home. This also applies to pet food, especially if it is kept outside, it should be kept above ground.
- Keep your bins sealed and free from overflowing, and keep them as far away from your home as possible.
- Cover and block any holes in brickwork or sealing around your house, we advise a thorough inspection of the outside of your home.
If you do suspect a rat infestation in or around your home it is really important to contact a pest control professional as soon as you can so they can advise on the next steps by either coming in to help you deal with them, or recommending the best ways to get rid of them efficiently. Rats carry nasty diseases that can make you very unwell, so it is important to be vigilant when it comes to suspected rat infestations in and around your home.
