In 2007, we met the iPhone, Britney Spears’ shaved head and, in the movie theaters, a mustachioed cook who stole our hearts. Do you know who we mean? It is Remy, the main character of the movie Ratatouille! This miniature Ricardo charmed the public to such an extent that at the Pets at Home pet shop chain in Great Britain, the sale of rats increased by 50% following the release of the film. Maybe for you too, the story of little Remy has changed your image of rats, but has it changed it completely? What would you do if, tomorrow morning, you found a rat in your kitchen? Would you rather give a little shout, or ask your visitor to make you an omelette? If you fall into the first category, don’t worry! In this article, we will explore the main characteristics of rats, ways to prevent rats from entering our home, as well as ways to eliminate rats if we come across them in our home.
Main characteristics of rats
In Europe and North America, we know two species of rats: the brown rat (also called “surmulot”) and the black rat. It’s not just their color that distinguishes them, though. While the overmulot likes humidity and basements, its darker cousin prefers heights and is therefore more frequently found in attics. However, both have a well-developed appetite, eating about 10% of their body weight each day. So it’s no wonder that Ratatouille is centered around food!
How to prevent a rat infestation?
The presence of rats in your home can cause many problems. Between them, brown and black rats can :
- digging under the houses ;
- Biting on electrical wires (which sometimes leads to fires);
- gnawing on pipes;
- transmit diseases, either due to a bite or because of the parasites they harbor;
- feed on the contents of our cupboards;
- notching the insulations;
- leave traces of urine and defecation on their path;
- cause even more damage!
To avoid these harmful consequences, caulk your home and drains to prevent rats from entering. This is the most effective method, but you can also make sure to keep your food in airtight dishes, cut your grass regularly and don’t neglect your garbage. In addition, some essential oils, such as lemongrass and eucalyptus, have a strong odor that sometimes scares rats away.
How to get rid of rats?
If you come across a rat (or worse, its entire family!) in your home, don’t panic. If you let a scream go, we forgive you, but only if it is accompanied by a call to Brisebois Extermination, who will help you solve the problem in a simple, quick and safe manner. Of course, you could try to catch the clever rodents by yourself, but beware: they are not easily caught! That’s why we highly recommend that you contact the professionals on our team to ensure that you don’t have rats in your home again. Besides, if you want an omelet, it’s probably best to make it yourself!