Keep Rats Away from Your Home in Boston

Rats are running rampant in Boston – according to the city’s 311 data, rodent complaints have been on the rise over the last couple of years, and they're coming from the suburbs, too. Here’s what you should do to keep rats away from your home.

Rats are commonly thought to be an urban problem. It is true that cities provide absolutely everything rats need to thrive, often packed into an expanse of just a block or two; however, suburbs are becoming increasingly vulnerable to rat invasions as well.

Rats may have started moving farther outside of downtown areas when Covid-19 had businesses, particularly restaurants, closing their doors or reducing operations, thus decreasing the availability of a primary food source. The rodents had to travel into more residential areas in search of food- Now that businesses are operating more normally, rats are on the rise in cities again, but many have adapted to suburban life and see no reason to leave.

Keep Rats Out of Your Yard

Seal trash securely: Trash is a primary source of food for rats and many other pests. Make sure trash bins are tightly closed, preferably with a heavy lid.

Eliminate other food sources: Trash isn’t the only item on the menu for hungry rats. Rodent-proof your vegetable garden, pick up any fallen fruit from trees, and avoid feeding birds and other wildlife.

Keep trees and shrubs trimmed: An overgrown yard is a rodent refuge. Untrimmed vegetation allows rats to move around unseen, and tall, thick grass disguises evidence of activity, like burrows.

Stay dry: Reduce the amount of water on your property by emptying receptacles such as wading pools, wheelbarrows, buckets, and flower pots. Check outdoor taps and garden hoses for leaks.

Keep Rats Out of Your Home

Deny access: Rats don’t need much space to squeeze inside. Seal cracks and crevices around your foundation and openings around utility lines, and make sure doors and windows are secure.

Stay clean & organized: Clean surfaces regularly, especially in kitchen and dining areas, and store food in sealed containers. Keep storage areas organized and uncluttered – similar to overgrowth in your yard, clutter indoors allows rats to move through your home undetected, and may prevent you from noticing droppings or other evidence of infestation.

Call the Professionals for Rat Control

It is not recommended to attempt rat control with do-it-yourself methods. Rats’ notoriously fast breeding cycle means an infestation can get out of hand quickly and makes it nearly impossible to keep up once they’re established. Rodents also carry several dangerous diseases that can be spread to humans, so it is especially important to leave this task to the experts.

If rats are in your house, the Burgess Pest team should be too. Call for a free estimate and get on the road to a rodent-free home today!