Rats invade homes to find food, water, and shelter. Once inside, they cause structural damage, contaminate food, and spread disease. These 8 steps will help you protect your home and avoid a costly infestation.
1. How Do You Seal Entry Points to Keep Rats Out?
Rats enter through gaps as small as 1.5 cm. Inspect external walls, vents, roof gaps, and foundations. Use steel wool, caulk, or concrete to block openings. Focus on pipe penetrations, garage doors, and window corners.
2. Why Is Removing Food Sources So Effective?
Rats stay where food is accessible. Keep bins sealed, clean up spills, and store pet food in metal or thick plastic containers. Collect fallen fruit and harvest garden produce early to avoid attracting rats.
3. What Yard Habits Help Reduce Nesting Spots?
Clutter creates shelter for rats. Clear leaf piles, broken furniture, and scrap wood. Store firewood at least 30 cm off the ground and 1 metre from walls. Trim ground cover and remove thick mulch where rodents may burrow.
4. How Can Tree Trimming Prevent Roof Access?
Overhanging branches allow rats to reach rooftops. Maintain a 1.2-metre clearance between trees and your home. Cut back climbing vines and tall shrubs. Install guards on downpipes or gutter edges if needed.
5. Where Should You Set Traps Indoors for Best Results?
Trap placement matters more than trap type. Use snap traps, glue boards, or cage traps along walls, behind appliances, and in attics or basements. Rats follow walls and avoid open spaces. Always wear gloves when handling traps.
6. Do Natural Repellents Like Peppermint Work?
Peppermint oil may deter rats short-term. Soak cotton balls and place them at known entry points, crawlspaces, or roof cavities. Repellents only work when food and nesting areas are removed—use as a support method, not a standalone solution.
7. How Should You Use Outdoor Baits Safely?
Bait stations should be tamper-proof and strategically placed. Place outdoor baits near fences, sheds, or along known rodent paths. Always follow label instructions and avoid direct placement where pets or children may reach.
8. Why Should You Coordinate with Neighbours?
Rats don’t respect property boundaries. If rats are active in your area, speak with nearby residents. Work together to check shared walls, laneways, and rubbish areas. Unified prevention reduces reinfestation risk.
Want Long-Term Protection Against Rats? Here’s What to Do Next
Don’t wait for rats to move in—contact Possuman today for expert advice, inspections, and tailored rat prevention plans that actually work.
Possuman’s team provides effective, family-safe solutions that block rats at every entry point. With decades of experience and local knowledge, they help Brisbane homeowners stay rodent-free year-round.
