Florida rats are stinky, dangerous and destructive animals. They hunt for food by scavenging from garbage, giving them the chance to get dangerous diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis. They also destroy homes as they gnaw on furniture, clothes, and pretty much anything around. They ransack food storage like cabinets and cupboards. Therefore, you need to get rid of these animals before an infestation happens.

Getting rid of rats can be difficult because they can be found anywhere. They can live in the ceiling, attic, and even between walls. This is why it is very important to identify their dwelling first. Then you will be able to determine which method you can use to get rid of them.

Repair any broken parts of the house
Don't let the Fort Lauderdale rat get inside your house. They can enter the house through small and hidden openings, usually through broken fixtures such as the ceiling or porch. Fix all broken parts of fences around your house. Check the house foundation, and if there is any broken part, repair it immediately. However, you need to check first if there is a rat inside before sealing the holes. Otherwise the rat will not get out and will eventually die in there, causing bigger problems for you.

Building a fence
If you are growing vegetation at home, it is recommended to build a fence around it. This is to keep rats from ransacking your plants. When building a fence, you can use smaller wire to make sure that they can't get in.

Trapping and excluding the rat
Live trapping is one of the best ways to get rid of a rat. This is also effective because you can be sure that the animal is caught and is not just roaming around the house injured. A live trap is commonly used. These are traps that are widely available in the hardware stores. When using a live trap, ensure that it is large enough to fit a fully grown rat. Also, if you suspect a rat infestation, you can use multiple live traps.

When trapping a Florida rat, you need to use bait to lure the animal inside. You can use a piece of cracker, corn, cheese, or anything enticing to taste. Put the bait inside the trap. Once the animal gets inside, seal the other side opening and exclude the trap. Call the local animal control to relocate the excluded animal. Do not kill the trapped rat. It might be carrying harmful diseases that can further harm you and your family.

Home and Natural Remedies
There are also home remedies such as mothballs, ammonia, vinegar and other foul odor kitchen solutions. These natural remedies are often found in your home and are easy to use. However, they don't work most of the time. Sometimes Fort Lauderdale rats are too wise and they manage to avoid the areas where home repellents are placed.

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