Out of all pests, rats just might be the sneakiest. They have an uncanny ability to pop-up seemingly out of nowhere, much to the surprise and horror of all who encounter them. Just how do they pull off this magic act? Like tiny contortionists, rats are able to fit their bodies through impossibly small openings. Once inside, they’re greeted with shrieks, screams and the occasional faint.

For homeowners and business owners alike, those outbursts should be the least of their worries. Rats can carry a smorgasbord of harmful bacteria, including Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome — a disease fatal in about 36 percent of all reported cases. They also can chew through electrical wiring and other infrastructure, causing thousands of dollars of property damage.

So just how do you stop them from sneaking around? Learn how you can patch a rodent hole in three easy steps. It’s not a permanent solution if you have a serious rat problem, but it will help you keep these pests in their place — outside.

How to guide to patching a rodent hole