What is the most effective method for controlling rats in buildings?

Physical exclusion is considered the most effective method for controlling rats in buildings because it focuses on preventing rats from entering the premises in the first place. This method involves sealing entry points, such as holes in the walls, gaps in doors and windows, and other structural vulnerabilities. By blocking access, you eliminate the potential for an infestation before it even starts.

This approach not only reduces reliance on other control methods like trapping or rodenticides, which may need to be used repeatedly, but it also provides a long-term solution to keeping rats out. Exclusion techniques can include installing screens, weather stripping, and solid barriers made from materials that rats cannot chew through.

Although trapping, rodenticides, and ultrasonic devices can be components of a comprehensive pest management plan, they do not address the root cause of the problem. Trapping and rodenticides can be effective for managing an existing rat population, but they do not prevent new rats from entering. Ultrasonic devices have limited scientific backing regarding their effectiveness in repelling rodents. Therefore, physical exclusion stands out as the most proactive and sustainable method for rat control within buildings.