If you have a problem with rats or mice then you really need to sort out the problem as soon as possible, rodents spread all kinds of diseases to both people and domestic animals. You will generally know if you have rats in the house as they like to leave their droppings everywhere – also look out for runways, stale ‘musty’ odours, nibbled food packages or books, or nests in storage areas.

There are various methods to eradicate your rat problem.

Rat poison has long been the favoured method to rid your premises of rats and mice. It can be easily obtained from specialist web stores, comes in all shapes and sizes depending upon the extent of your problem, and produces good results. Place the poison in an open tray or bait station and consider non-toxic products for safety around children and pets. Always take extra care when handling poisons, particularly if you have domestic animals and children.

A breakthrough in rodent and pest control is found in electromagnetic rodent repellers, they are easy to use and free from poison and chemicals. Designed to repel rats and mice by using the wiring inside the walls of the premises to emit sound waves, rodents come to no harm but the repeller acts as an irritant which encourages rats to leave the building. These devices are very easy to use – just plug it in and let it do its work.

Wooden snap traps have been around for years and are a successful and popular way to control rats in households. They are very cheap to buy and simple to use, and if you use the right bait then they are also highly effective. However, they generally only catch one rat at a time and need to be kept well away from young children or pets.

You can easily make a rat trap yourself by making a glue board. Just use a plank of wood and put some bait on it that will attract the rats, then add some strong glue and wait for the rats to appear. As they nibble they will get stuck to the board and then you can dispose of them how you wish.

To avoid rats coming into the house, outhouses or garden, try to keep your bin as far from the house as possible and empty it at regular intervals. An overflowing smelly bin is a big attraction to rodents, make sure the lid is on properly and wrap foodstuffs in plastic bags to seal in smells that will attract rodents.

Check the area around your property thoroughly for holes, gaps and crevices where rats may get into the house, seal them up and this will help to solve some of your problem. Also inspect your outer buildings and sheds as rats like to nest inside for warmth. If the shed is not placed on concrete then it’s possible for rodents to get in quite easily.

Trim back bushes and trees to prevent rats from using them to climb up onto the shed or garage roof. They could even use them to make their way into your attic space. Do not leave food scattered over the ground for the birds, either compact it and hang from a branch or ensure you pick up any leftovers after the birds have had their fill. The same goes if you have a fruit tree in the garden: rotten apples will attract rodents and could lead to their finding their way into your home.

Always read the label on pest control products and them with care. Ensure they are well out of the way of young children and domestic pets, and keep any traps or baits in places that only the rats can access.