Pest control expert's 99p hack will banish rats from your home for good

If you're living in a property and you've discovered there are rats scuttling around, your first instinct will no doubt be to get rid of them. You may want to line up traps straightaway to catch them, desperately trying to ensure that the infestation doesn't become more of a problem over time.

But an expert has warned that putting out multiple traps may actually have an adverse effect, as they are actually scared of new objects around them - so won't actually go near the multiple new traps you've set.

Protecta Pest Control Services took to Facebook to explain the best way to approach the situation.

Rats do not usually go near things that are unfamiliar - but you can use this information to your advantage (Shutterstock)

They wrote: "Discover the factors that influence neophobia in rats and how pest control services like Protecta Pest Control can leverage this knowledge to manage rat infestations effectively."

Going on to describe what neophobia is, they added: "Neophobia, a natural behaviour in rodents like rats, is an aversion to new or unfamiliar experiences or objects. This trait is prevalent across rodent species and is considered an adaptive response to potential threats.

"The reluctance of rats to engage with novel or unfamiliar experiences has been observed in numerous scenarios. For example, when presented with a choice between familiar and new foods, rats often opt for the familiar, even when hungry, and the new food is more nutritious."

They shared that one of the main reasons behind neophobic behaviour in rats is thought to be an adaptive response to potential dangers rodents face - they will always choose what feels familiar.

Interestingly, if rats are in a group and their peers do something, they may then deem it safe to do as they are social creatures.

They said: "As rats become more accustomed to the stimulation, their fear subsides. They may even start to approach and interact with it."

As a result of this, they recommend "gradually habituating rats to control measures, which increases the likelihood of success" of catching the rats.

Rat traps can be bought for as little as 99p, but humane traps can be purchased for around £10.