What should be done if a rat has entered the apartment? - briefly
Seal all possible entry points, eliminate food and water sources, and place snap traps or bait stations while wearing gloves; then contact a licensed pest‑control service to assess and eradicate the infestation. Maintain cleanliness and monitor for further activity.
What should be done if a rat has entered the apartment? - in detail
When a rodent is found inside a residence, immediate action is required to protect health, prevent damage, and stop further intrusion.
First, secure the area. Close doors to the room where the animal was seen, and seal off any pathways that lead to other parts of the home. Turn off lights and avoid direct contact; rodents can bite and transmit diseases.
Next, identify entry points. Inspect walls, floors, ceilings, and utility openings for gaps larger than a quarter‑inch. Common sites include around pipes, vents, and where cabinets meet the wall. Mark each opening for later sealing.
Set up trapping or exclusion measures. Options include:
- Snap traps placed perpendicular to walls, with bait such as peanut butter or dried fruit.
- Live‑catch traps, checked every few hours; captured rodents should be released at least 200 meters from the property.
- Electronic traps that deliver a quick lethal shock.
- Glue boards, used only as a last resort due to animal welfare concerns.
Position traps along established runways: behind appliances, near baseboards, and close to identified holes. Use multiple traps to increase capture probability.
After capture, remove the rodent with gloves, seal it in a plastic bag, and dispose of it in an outdoor trash container. Clean the trap and surrounding area with a disinfectant solution (e.g., diluted bleach) to eliminate pathogens.
Seal all openings using appropriate materials: steel wool combined with caulk for small gaps, cement or metal flashing for larger holes, and expanding foam for irregular spaces. Ensure that vents retain their protective screens.
Conduct a thorough sanitation. Dispose of contaminated food, store pantry items in airtight containers, and clean countertops, floors, and surfaces with detergent followed by a disinfectant. Eliminate sources of water and food that could attract rodents.
Finally, establish a monitoring routine. Place a few non‑lethal detection stations (e.g., small boxes with flour dust) in corners of the home. Inspect them weekly for signs of activity. Maintain the sealed environment and repeat the inspection of potential entry points every few months.
By following these steps—containment, identification, trapping, removal, sealing, sanitation, and ongoing monitoring—the infestation can be halted and future incursions prevented.