How to deal with rats and mice in the house on your own

17.06.2020

The rat is an omnivorous mammal that adapts well to its environment, reproduces quickly and has great physical strength. Now the lifestyle of rodents is closely connected with humans: animals live in landfills and in houses. For this reason, the question of how to get rid of rats increasingly arises.

Rodents cause a lot of trouble, despite the fact that they look quite harmless.

Signs of rodents

It is easier to drive away rodents in the early stages, when a whole flock has not yet settled in the house.

You can tell that there are pests in your home based on the following signs:

1. The appearance of strange sounds. Rodents make rustling and squeaking sounds, scratch the floor and walls with their claws, and make noise when they damage things. Rats can jump up to 0.5 m in height, which is why you may hear rumbling noises at night. At night, animals are more active.
2. Presence of excrement. The droppings are round and raisin-like. It is larger than a mouse.
3. Damage to property. Most often, rats gnaw grocery bags, cereal packages and bags of flour. This is how they get their food. However, rodents can also ruin cosmetics, children's toys, clothes, etc. They chew holes in baseboards, walls, doors and pipes.
4. Unpleasant smell. Rats often mark territory. They can leave excrement in their homes and hard-to-reach crevices.
5. The appearance of nests. Animals construct them from polyethylene, papers, torn rags and other similar materials.

Is there a danger to humans, and why is deratization mandatory?

Rats carry the following diseases:

• endemic typhus;
• leptospirosis;
• tetanus;
• plague;
• Q fever;
• toxoplasmosis;
• pseudotuberculosis, etc.

Additionally, they are carriers of helminths and other parasites. Rat fleas and ticks can also carry diseases. At best, they leave their owners and bite people, which sometimes causes allergies. With increased sensitivity, this can even cause anaphylactic shock.

Rats damage property and can injure pets or small children.

They cause harm to a person's mental health: some people experience panic attacks at the sight of rodents. The main danger of pests lies in the fact that they multiply quickly. Even one female brings up to 100 rat pups a year, so the animals quickly occupy the entire home.

Diseases of rats transmitted to humans.

Basic methods of controlling rats and mice

The most effective ways to control mice and rats include the use of poisons and repellents. With a small number of pests, you can resort to physical destruction, but this is inhumane.

Chemical bait poisons

Chemicals in spray or powder form are added to food. The granules are laid out along the homes and paths of rodents. Preference is given to products that do not emit volatile compounds. They are the safest for people.

Toxic agents are divided into 2 groups: long-acting and instant-acting.

The latter are capable of destroying pests in a few minutes. Such drugs include, for example, Rat poison. However, quickly getting rid of rats has its drawbacks: after the death of their relatives, the surviving individuals begin to behave more carefully and no longer pick up the same delicacy. Instant-acting poisons are better suited for killing 1-2 rats that have run into the house.

If you are dealing with a large flock, choose long-acting products. They kill animals within up to 10 days, but the chance that you will be able to poison a large part of the population is higher. Drugs in this group include “Zookoumarin”, “Ratindan”, “Goliath”, etc.

Pesticides can have different ways of affecting the body of rats.

Inhumane methods of physical destruction

For physical control of rodents, standard mousetraps, electric models and glue traps are used. The first 2 designs are nothing unusual; everyone is familiar with them. Sticky traps work by using a sticky substance and bait. The rat tries to take the treat, plunges its paws into the mixture, tries to get out and sticks even more.

Of these designs, the most preferable is the electric mousetrap.

It kills the rodent as quickly and painlessly as possible. A standard mousetrap can cause suffering if it does not kill the animal with 1 hit. In a glue trap, the pest will slowly die.

Ultrasonic repellers "Hawk"

If the question arises about how to deal with rats in a private house or apartment using humane methods, you should pay attention to the Yastreb ultrasonic repellers. They allow you to expel pests from your living space without causing harm. Rodents are sensitive to noise and hear other frequencies, so ultrasound causes them to quickly leave the room.

Repellers "Yastreb" work from the network. Installing the device is easy: just choose a location and connect it to an outlet. However, for large private houses, compact apartments and country cottages, different repellers will be needed. You will need to select the power and type of action.

The ultrasonic repeller "Hawk" copes well with its tasks.

For apartments and small houses up to 200 sq.m. m, for example, the Yastreb 200 M device is suitable. For large rooms up to 400 sq. It’s better to buy “Hawk 400”. Advanced models constantly change the frequency of ultrasound. This prevents the animals from getting used to it and causes panic. The devices operate at temperatures from -40°C to +80°C, so they can be left in any room. It is recommended to place the repellers at a height and point them towards the middle of the room for the best effect.

The devices have a limited signal propagation angle.

Method 3. Live trap

Mouse in a cage.

It looks like a mousetrap, but it works differently - the rodents remain alive.

You need to put bait inside the cage and install the trigger. When a rodent enters the cage and tries to eat, the mechanism will work and the door will slam shut. Rats or mice will be trapped inside. All you have to do is take them away from home and release them into the wild.

When shaking a rodent out of a container or cage, be careful. Do not touch a mouse or rat with your hands - they may bite or scratch you and transmit an infection.

Pros : More humane than a regular mousetrap. You will be able to empty devices without disgust or disgust. It is more pleasant to release a rat or mouse than to remove the remains from the device.

Cons : effective if there are a couple of mice living at home. A live trap is useless against a flock.

Folk remedies for rodent control

With a small number of rats, folk remedies can help, but you shouldn’t rely too much on them. Most often, in the absence of other rodent control measures, it is not possible to obtain a satisfactory result. It is recommended to use traditional methods to support the basic methods of pest removal.

Predatory animals

To protect against rats, cats are often kept in private homes. Miniature dog breeds are also capable of repelling rodents. However, you should not allow your pets to get into fights with rats. Large individuals can seriously injure or kill a pet.

Rat-borne diseases are also a danger.

Cats effectively exterminate rat families.

When eating pest carcasses, cats and dogs can become infected with:

1. Rabies. A viral disease that is most often fatal. Timely vaccinations can save you from pathology.
2. Trichinosis. A disease that affects muscle tissue. Trichinosis is not dangerous for humans, since it cannot be contracted from pets, but for the latter it is a difficult-to-treat pathology with a severe course.
3. Toxoplasmosis. Parasitic disease. It can be transmitted from pets to humans. In pregnant women, the pathology can even cause premature birth, and in the fetus - the appearance of developmental anomalies.
4. Salmonellosis. Intestinal infectious disease. It is characterized by a rapid, acute course and poses a danger to animal owners.
5. Leptospirosis. Severe pathology that affects the central nervous system, kidneys and liver. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to people.

Never allow your pets to hunt rats and mice if you poison rodents. When eating pest carcasses, poisons will enter the body of domestic animals and cause severe intoxication. It is almost impossible to save a cat or dog if they are poisoned.

Pet control should not be a method of rodent control. Don't get a cat or dog hoping to get rid of rats. At best, the pet will not show interest in pests; at worst, it may die.

Homemade rat traps

The simplest and most humane option is the classic rat trap made from a can and a coin. The jar is placed upside down and the bait is placed at a low height. A large coin is placed on the opposite side so that the container is raised and does not collapse on its own. When the rat tries to get the bait, it will move the jar and become trapped. It is recommended to place a lid or any hard flat surface under the neck in advance. This will help you lift the trap without releasing the rat.

Homemade trap made from a bucket and a jar.

Is this method effective?

Thanks to this method, you can catch 1-2 pests, but such rat traps are useless against large flocks. Rats are social and intelligent animals. They warn their relatives of danger by squeaking and do not fall into the same trap twice.

Why is it better to choose Hawk devices?

When purchasing Hawk repellers, you will not have to build any additional traps using step-by-step instructions. It is enough to connect the device to the network and leave it indoors. The repeller acts more humanely because it does not kill rodents, like some homemade rat traps. You don't have to take the animal outside or think about what to do with it.

Another advantage of the devices is their effectiveness against single individuals and large flocks.

Mousetraps are able to cope with a few rodents, but later the pests are no longer caught in the traps. In the case of repellers, rats cannot avoid the effects of ultrasound, so even large flocks have to leave their habitable place.

Mouse trap crushers

There are masher mousetraps, which are dies with a spring. The advantages of such devices are:

• significant efficiency;
• durability;
• cheapness.

They must be used carefully. There are several options for such devices.

Steel mousetrap “FIT”

This mousetrap is a classic design with a wood base and a durable steel fixture. As soon as the rat wants to eat the bait, the mechanism will immediately slam shut. Such mousetraps are popular due to their low cost and trouble-free operation. The disadvantages include the fact that death does not occur instantly, but after some time. The tree gradually becomes saturated with the smell of dead rodents, and subsequently the rats will avoid old mousetraps.

Plastic mousetrap “Mr.Mouse”

This classic mousetrap is made of plastic. If we compare it with a wooden structure, it does not become dirty or saturated with odors. It can be used many times. It is safer for humans during use because the principle of operation resembles a large clothespin. The bait can be chocolate, peanuts, seeds.

Trap "House"

This trap does not kill rats, but only locks them inside. Pests cannot get out. The trap consists of a plastic pipe, which is bent at a certain angle, and two doors. After it is installed, you need to remove the back cover and put in the bait. Then place the trap in the desired place, close the back cover, and open the front door. The door is designed for a rat. When the animal crawls towards the food, it will automatically close.

Other means and their effectiveness

To get rid of rats, folk remedies are used, which can be roughly divided into 2 groups: repellent and killing.

Wood ash

Wood ash is thoroughly crushed and scattered in places favored by pests. Ash irritates the delicate skin on the paws of rodents and forces them to change their place of residence. However, most often the rats go into the next room and return later.

Peppermint and essential oils based on it

Pests don't like the smell of peppermint. You can place bunches of plants along paths and holes or grow them yourself. The latter method works well when rats appear on the site. If fresh bunches don't help, use peppermint essential oil. It is more effective than plants because it is a concentrated substance.

The oil is applied to cotton pads, which are then spread throughout the room.

Balls of flour and gypsum

A mixture of building plaster and flour will help destroy part of the population. The ingredients are combined in equal proportions. Bowls with the mixture are placed in places most frequented by rats, and water is placed nearby.

Pests first eat the contents, then drink them down. After some time, the plaster hardens in the rodent's stomach and causes the insides to rupture.

A mixture of plaster and flour is harmful to rats.

Camphor alcohol

Pieces of cloth or cotton pads are moistened in camphor alcohol, which are then laid out along rat paths and in holes. The liquid can be replaced with gasoline, vinegar or kerosene. The smell repels pests, but they may choose another room or corner as their home.

Glass wool insulation

Glass wool insulation is a controversial method that does not always help. Some use the material as a preventive measure. Sometimes with its help it is possible to drive out rats if there are few of them. However, there are complaints that rodents not only ignore glass wool, but also make nests out of it.

Sugar and water

The product may kill rats, but the method will not get rid of large flocks. Rodents are careful and smart, so they won’t eat treats together at the same time. Soda and sugar are mixed in equal proportions, then a little flour is added to give an attractive smell. In the pest's stomach, the ingredients enter into a chemical reaction with hydrochloric acid. As a result, carbon dioxide is released, causing rupture of the insides.

Cork plug

The cork is crushed and fried in lard. Its pieces are laid out in places favored by rats. Rodents follow the smell and eat the treat.

To prepare the bait, you can use any corks - both champagne and wine.

When a large amount of cork is absorbed, the latter swells in the stomach with liquid. This provokes damage to internal organs.

Crushed glass

Broken pieces are placed in rat holes and along pest paths. Rodents have delicate skin on their paws. When walking on glass, they get injured and prefer to leave the house. However, this method can be traumatic for family members. Broken glass is especially dangerous for children and pets.

Chlorine solution

When used, the solution releases toxic volatile compounds. Rats cannot stand the smell of chlorine and try to stay away from the house.

However, this method cannot be used too often, since the solution in high concentrations or with constant exposure poses a danger to people.

Calcium carbide

The substance can quickly destroy a small population of pests. When interacting with water, the carbide begins to react and acetylene is released. This is a gas that strongly irritates the mucous membranes, including the respiratory tract. The product allows you to exterminate rats, but it cannot be used in an apartment or living quarters of a private house, since it is unsafe for people.

Calcium carbide is a chemical used to control rats.

Comparison of the effectiveness of Yastreb products and folk remedies

Repellent folk remedies most often turn out to be ineffective or dangerous to the health of people and pets. They are difficult to cover a large area. Killing traps and means only affect the first few individuals. The rest later become more careful and do not try the offered treats, and also avoid poisons.

Hawk repellers help get rid of rodents forever in 1 day.

Unlike folk remedies for rats, the devices begin to work from the first minute. If prevention is observed, pests will not return to the premises. To cover a large area, several devices may be needed, but this will eliminate the possibility of rodent migration. The latter often happens when using folk remedies: from unpleasant odors, rats simply hide in another place where they build nests again.

How to get rid of the smell of a dead rat

There are proven effective ways to get rid of the smell of a dead rodent:

1. The cause of the smell needs to be removed.
2. Ventilate the room.
3. Cover the area where the corpse was lying with soda, which can then be easily collected with a vacuum cleaner.
4. Wash and clean all textiles.
5. Place a piece of cotton wool in a ceramic or iron bowl and set it on fire. Leave in a smoldering state for several hours.
6. Treat all hard surfaces with vinegar, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
7. Place absorbents in the room: coffee, lemon, salt, soda, activated carbon or store-bought products.
8. Wash the floor with bleach and use a fragrance and air freshener.

The versatility of the Hawk repellers

Hawk repellers are used both at home and for agricultural purposes. Advanced models are even allowed to be placed outside buildings.

Where can it be used

Repellers are used in residential buildings: apartments, houses, country cottages, etc. They are placed in holiday homes and tourist centers to protect visitors from rodents.

The beeping of the device causes severe emotional stress in rats.

The devices can be used in domestic premises: garages, storerooms, basements. They are required to protect granaries, production and warehouse buildings.

Due to the absence of harmful effects on human health and the large covered area, there are no restrictions on the use of Yastreb repellers. Some models are waterproof.

Prevention of re-breeding of rodents

To prevent the recurrence of rats, you need to do the following:

1. Look around the room. Cover all holes and cracks with a mixture of concrete and broken glass. This will prevent animals from chewing their way through.
2. Remove food from open access and clean regularly. Pests will have nothing to eat; they will not have material to build nests and shelters.
3. Cover the ventilation shafts with fine mesh wire mesh. It is better to secure it with screws or screws. This will allow you to quickly remove or replace the mesh if necessary.
4. Do not leave garbage near the doors to your apartment or house, or near the garbage chute.
5. Lower the toilet lid. Rodents are good swimmers, so they move freely through risers and sewers.
6. Place mosquito nets on the windows. It is advisable to close them when you leave home. Rats are able to climb trees and jump into houses. They can easily chew through the mesh while you are away. If you are at home, you will hear the noise and be able to react quickly.

To prevent rats from getting in, you need to throw out trash regularly.
It is recommended to use ultrasonic repellers for prevention. If they are turned on constantly, rats will not have the desire to move into your home.

Prevention measures

Even maintaining absolute order in the rooms and in the local area cannot guarantee that rodents will not appear in the house. To prevent their occurrence, you must:

• close the ventilation passages with fine mesh grilles;
• seal all existing cracks, as well as the water supply system;
• Use containers with tight-fitting lids to store food;
• Dispose of trash daily to prevent rodents from having access to food.

Preventive measures can be carried out already at the construction stage. When pouring the foundation of a house, a mesh with small cells is installed in cement. All existing holes must also be sealed.

Many plants that repel animals with their scents can be successfully grown as potted crops.

There are a huge variety of means and methods for removing gray pests. The choice depends not only on human preferences, but also on the size of the animal population.

Where to file a complaint about rats

Independent attempts to get rid of pests may not bring results if comprehensive measures are not taken. To organize pest control throughout the entire entrance or in the private sector, you need to contact the management company, Rospotrebnadzor or higher authorities.

In the private sector

The answer to the question of where to file a pest complaint depends on the cause of the problem. The property owner is obliged to maintain favorable sanitary and epidemiological conditions. If rats have appeared in the house due to neglect of prevention rules, you will have to deal with the problem yourself.

If there are unfavorable third-party factors, you can file a complaint with Rospotrebnadzor. The reason could be, for example, non-compliance with sanitary standards by neighbors or the construction of an illegal dump next to the house. If this does not help, you can file a claim “To eliminate obstacles to the use of residential premises” in court.

In apartments

The manager is obliged to maintain a favorable sanitary and epidemiological situation at home and ensure safe living conditions, therefore, if rodents are found in the entrance, you must submit a statement to the Criminal Code. The complaint is written in any order, but you must indicate your personal data, fill out the header of the document (Article 7.22 of the Administrative Code), describe the problem and ask for an inspection. Leave a signature and date at the bottom.

Officially, the processing time for an application is 1 month, so residents often have to deal with the problem on their own, since during this time animals can breed and cause damage to property.

Discussion is closed.

Essential measures

Rodent control in an apartment should be carried out at the level of the entire house. It is necessary to collect signatures from residents and write a complaint to the appropriate authorities. Specialists must respond to requests for rodent extermination and carry out deratization in basements and entrances.

The next step should be to prevent home invasion. In new buildings, where the floors and walls are concrete, the only entry option is sewerage. All that remains is to put a lid on the toilet with significant weight, and not a light plastic one. Then the rat will not be able to lift it and get further into the room.

In an old house, it is necessary, if possible, to strengthen the space from the floor at a distance of 20 cm. Rats gnaw everything except those materials that are much harder than teeth. Concrete, iron structures, and metal mesh are not susceptible.