Rats are spreading fast in Swedish homes - and many people make mistakes that make the problem worse. Here is advice to help you get rid of rodents and protect your home before it's too late.
👉 Read more about Repello and order here
Rats are not just a nuisance in the home. They can cause serious damage by gnawing on electrical cables, which in the worst case can lead to fires. In addition, they spread diseases that can be dangerous to both humans and pets.
- It is a growing problem across the country. We are now seeing rats appearing in places where they were previously absent," says an expert from Anticimex.
Once rats have established themselves in a home, getting rid of them can be difficult - and expensive. That's why it's important to act quickly and avoid common mistakes.
Five common mistakes - and how to avoid them
1. Waiting too long
Many hope that the problem will solve itself.
But rats breed quickly, and a small population can grow explosively in just a few weeks.
Expert advice:
If you notice rat droppings, noises in the walls or chewing marks - act now. The sooner you take action, the easier it is to stop the spread.
2. Using rat poison the wrong way
Rat poison may seem like a simple solution, but it carries great risks.
It is toxic to both children and pets, and rats often die in hard-to-reach places, which can cause bad odours and clean-up problems.
Expert advice:
Never use rat poison without professional help. There are safer methods that do not risk your family's health.
3. Rely on cheap ultrasonic devices
Many people are attracted by cheap electronic rat scares that emit a constant tone.
The problem? Rats quickly get used to the sound, and the effect wears off after just a few days.
Expert advice:
Choose a solution with proven scientific efficacy based on varying sound patterns that rats cannot predict.
4. Forgetting to secure the home
Even if you manage to get rid of the rats, it is important to seal holes and cracks where they can get in.
Otherwise, there is a high risk that the problem will soon return.
Expert advice:
Go through the house carefully - especially around the foundation, pipe penetrations and ventilation openings.
5. just focus on catching - not scaring away
Traps can remove individual rats but do not solve the problem of new ones moving in.
Effective protection is all about making the environment unattractive to rats.
Expert advice:
Keep rubbish areas clean, store food in tight containers and use deterrents that make rats not want to stay.
New Swedish invention - scares the rats away for good
After several years of research in collaboration with Luleå University of Technology, scientists have developed Repello - a technology based on the rats' own alarm signals. The research has also been evaluated by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
When the signals are played, the reptilian brain of the rodents is activated, causing them to flee in panic.
- It's not about volume, but about simulating an acute threat. The rats can't defend themselves against this kind of sound," says Professor Örjan Johansson, who led the research behind the technology
Unlike simpler ultrasonic devices, Repello can be used completely without poisons or traps and is safe for children and pets. Each unit covers up to 40 m² and is easy to install.
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