In Norway, rats are a real headache. Even if you seal every entry point in your house, these little creatures can dig underground tunnels and nest near your house. The infestation becomes intense when winter hits in Norway. They invade your houses.
Rats cause significant damage to your property, carry diseases, and pollute the environment. So, many residents call for pros to handle the rat infestation. However, before contacting the expert, you can apply some DIY techniques that help you naturally get rid of rats in Norway. In this post, we will explore some practical, easy, and effective ways to eliminate rats and keep your home safe.
Signs You Have Rats
Before applying any natural strategy, you should know that rats are actually in your house. Do you know the symptoms? Here are the common clues you should look for:
- Scratching, running, fighting, or squeaking sounds at night
- Droppings and urine stains near food sources or along walls
- Strong, musky ammonia-like odor
- Chewed wires, plastic, or wood
- Tracks or grease marks where they travel
- Burrows or holes near foundations, under debris, or in the yard
If you have a rat infestation, you are likely to spot one or two rats in broad daylight. Are you noticing these signs? If your answer is yes, let’s apply some quick and safe natural ways to drive them away.
Quick, Safe, and Natural Ways to Get Rid of Rats
You can get rid of most rats in natural ways. There is no need to apply harsh techniques. However, if the infestation gets out of control, it is advisable to contact a professional pest control company. Our recommendations: apply natural DIY methods first. These are easy and safe for your family and pets.
Step 1: Remove Food and Water Sources
Rats scavenge food at night. If they can’t find a food source, they will move away from your house and search for food elsewhere. So, you can cut off their food supply. This is the basic step. From cleaning your kitchen to storing food in airtight containers, you can prevent rats from accessing easy sources of food.
- Wipe the countertop and sweep the kitchen floor after eating.
- Close the garbage bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Don’t leave pet food or birdseed open overnight. It practically invites rats.
- Clean up fallen fruit, nuts, and seeds from your garden regularly to prevent them from spreading and contaminating other areas.
- Fix leaks and avoid leaving water in buckets or pet bowls overnight to prevent waste.
If you can starve them, you make your house less attractive.
Step 2: Seal Entry Points
Another easy step you can take is to seal all possible entry points. Remember: rats can slip through cracks as small as a pencil. Inspect your house, including doors, windows, vents, and pipes.
- Locate every gap you suspect rats can use to enter your house.
- Use steel wool or metal mesh to fill gaps
- Seal cracks with caulk or concrete.
It may take no more than 10 minutes to find and seal entry points. But this can save you weeks of trouble.
Step 3: Use Natural Deterrents
It appears that specific natural deterrents repel rats. These repellents create an invisible fence around your property. From peppermint oil to eucalyptus, you have plenty of natural deterrents to drive rats away from your house. Here’s how to use them against rats.
- Peppermint Oil: Get peppermint oil in a bowl and soak cotton balls in it. Place the wet balls near the rats’ usual routes, including under sinks, basements, or garages. The strong smell drives them away.
- Garlic and Hot Sauce Mix: You can combine minced garlic with a bit of hot sauce and water. Spray the mixture around your garden, foundation, or near burrows.
- Plants: You can grow natural repellents like mint, marigolds, or eucalypts near your foundation.
Step 4: Set Humane Traps
Traps are traditional methods for catching rats in Norway. You can buy different types of traps. This method is helpful if you don’t want to use chemicals.
- Use snap traps or catch-and-release traps.
- Bait with sweet food like peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit.
- Place traps along walls or known rat paths.
- Check traps daily and dispose of rats properly to avoid odors.
Wrapping It Up
You can eliminate most rats using natural techniques. However, if rats have already made a colony in your house, natural ways might not be as effective as you think. Therefore, if you have a full-blown infestation, you should call professional rat exterminators in Norway. Popular companies, such as Skadedyr-kontroll, use eco-friendly and safe methods to eliminate rats. Follow our guide, apply one by one, and keep your house rat-free.
ALSO READ: How to Choose the Best Mouse Exterminator Services Near You in Norway
