Rats are crafty, destructive creatures. They multiply quickly and live in packs. Once they invade, they bring with them a bunch of trouble.
Luckily, in our guide, you can learn how to get rid of rats in the yard without harming pets. This can help you avoid a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.
If they gain access to the home, they destroy important materials by chewing through wires, pipes, books and even clothes.
One of the reasons why rats invade is to feed. They will eat any food left uncovered and this is the way they spread diseases to humans and pets.
Immediate action must be taken against rats when their presence is noticed. Let’s walk you through the process of getting rid of rats safely.
What Kills Rats Without Harming Pets?
You can get the rat situation under control by using traditional rat poisons and traps. However, if you have kids or pets, this could be very dangerous.
Small children, usually in the inquisitive stage of life, may try to taste rat poison or get injured by traps. Pets are affected the same way or may get sick by ingesting rats that have already been poisoned.
Thus, the need to find a means to deal with them in a way that will not put pets in harm’s way.
7 tips to get rid of rats in the yard without harming pets:
1. Remove food sources
2. Use pet-friendly rat traps
3. Use rat poison that is safe for pets
4. Clean up your yard
5. Use scent-based rat repellents
6. Use rodent smoke bombs
7. Recruit natural predators of rats
1. Remove food sources
Leaving food around encourages rats. To prevent them from coming, remove food sources from the yard. For example, remove bird feeders, fallen fruits and vegetables.
Store pet or livestock food properly by keeping them in rat-proof bins. Tidy up after parties by cleaning grills and putting them away.
Pick up leftover food and dispose of it. Make use of rat-proof trash cans. There are different models to choose from.
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2. Use pet-friendly rat traps
Traditional rat traps like the snap trap can injure pets. Replace these with pet-friendly rat traps.
Consider using a live trap. Note that the rat will be captured alive and you will have to free or kill it. This is a good option because live traps can be used more than once.
Glue traps are constructed from heavy paper and a thick coat of glue. You can sprinkle food on the glue to attract the rat.
The rat may or may not die with this trap. If it gets stuck in such a way that it cannot breathe, it will suffocate and die.
Traps require a level of vigilance. You will need to check them regularly and change the bait.
3. Use rat poison that is safe for pets
Believe it or not, there are modern poisons that can kill rats without harming other wildlife or pets. These special formulae are designed to kill rats alone.
Previously, the baits that were used to catch rats were toxic. Now there are safer ones available that act by blocking the digestive system of the rat.
Now, the rat cannot vomit nor will the poison be excreted. In this way, the rat dies of dehydration.
This method will not harm your dogs, cats or birds.
4. Clean up your yard
Cleaning up your yard involves removing things that attract rats in the first place.
Clearing bushes is the first step. Rats love low-hanging bushes because they can make their burrows beneath them without being detected.
Remove materials rats may use to build their nests. Pieces of paper, shreds of clothing, twigs and dried leaves are some of these.
Prevent rats from gaining access into the house by closing up holes from outside.
5. Use scent-based rat repellents
How to get rid of rats in the yard without harming pets? Use scent-based rat repellents.
Rats do not like certain scents. If they smell them, it is unlikely that they will stay or come back.
Scents like chilli, peppermint, lavender and eucalyptus repel rats. Utilize essential oils with these scents to make your yard rat-proof.
You can plant mint and lavender or you can spray regularly. Of course, this is harmless to pets.
6. Use rodent smoke bombs
Rodent smoke bombs kill rats by choking them. Depending on the brand used, smoke bombs may prove effective killing methods.
To use, throw into identified rat burrows and light. Close the entrance of the burrow and give about 15 minutes.
Within this time, make sure pets and house animals are kept indoors as the smoke is also harmful to them.
Recently, dry ice and carbon monoxide have been used as an alternative to rodent smoke bombs. This works just as well.
Still, extra caution must be exercised when handling dry ice.
7. Recruit natural predators of rats
Recruiting natural predators instead of trying to catch rats by yourself is an effective method to eliminate them. This approach is one of the best non-toxic and harmless methods – you’re just letting nature take its course.
Some natural predators of rats are owls, cats, and dogs, specifically Terriers.
Owls hunt at night and can eat more than 10 rats every night. Some even hunt in groups, meaning more rats can be removed at a time.
You can choose to encourage owls to nest around your house by making a birdhouse and providing bird food.
Consider getting a cat if you don’t already own one. They can double as pets and rat eliminators.
Dogs are adept rat catchers. Terriers especially were bred to hunt rats and help control the rodent population.
If you are using animals to catch rats, do not use poison traps. Ingesting the poison is hazardous to them. Even eating a poisoned rat can be lethal.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Rats Outside?
Look out for these major signs of a rat infestation outside: rat burrows, rat nests and rat droppings gnaw marks.
Rat burrows
Rats make their burrows in gardens, sidewalk planters, yards in front of and behind buildings, empty lots and construction sites and anywhere else they can mate and feed.
Rat’s burrows look like holes slanting into the ground at an angle. It is important to differentiate a rat burrow from a rabbit or mole burrow so that you can identify exactly what you’re dealing with.
Close the burrows by filling them with soil and pressing them down with a shovel.
Rat nests
Rats make build their nests out of cotton, twigs, plants and all sorts of debris. This can include fabric, cardboard, packing peanuts, paper and a wide range of other shredded scraps.
These materials are packed into cosy spaces where the rats feel protected from the elements and predators.
Rat droppings
Rat droppings are usually a clear indication that rats are lurking nearby.
Dark brown or black and rice-shaped, rat droppings are easy to identify. They are seen near their nests and burrows.
Gnaw marks
Rat gnaw marks can be seen on materials they try to chew. Wires, cables, and even doors are not left out.
The quickest way to get rid of rats outside is to prevent them from having an entry in the first place. Guard your yard with a chicken wire fence.
Close gaps and holes with concrete. Wood, rubber and plastic are not recommended as rat-proofing elements since rats can easily chew through them.
Keep rat nesting materials out of your yard.
How Do You Get Rid of Rats When You Have Pets?
How to get rid of rats in the yard without harming pets? Avoid poison that is not pet-safe. Again,
1. Remove food sources
2. Use pet-friendly rat traps
3. Use rat poison that is safe for pets
4. Clean up your yard
5. Use scent-based rat repellents
6. Use rodent smoke bombs
7. Recruit natural predators of rats
Conclusion
We have explained how to get rid of rats in the yard without harming pets.
Rats are a problem as soon as they settle in your yard, garden or house. Rats can do a surprising amount of property damage in a short amount of time.
Homes, vehicles and yards are not safe when rats are around. Rats also pose a health risk as they transmit contagious diseases to humans and pets.
Once a rat problem is discovered, it’s imperative to act quickly to eliminate the rats and ensure they don’t return.
There are also measures you can take to prevent rats from showing up in the first place.
