How to Get Rid of Rats

How to Identify Rats

Two rat species cause most home problems. The Norway rat is heavy-bodied and brown, usually 7 to 9 inches in the body with a shorter, scaly tail, and it tends to burrow in the ground, in basements and along foundations and lower floors. The roof rat is sleeker and darker, an agile climber that prefers attics, rafters, trees and upper levels. Both are far larger than a mouse, leave capsule-shaped droppings up to about three-quarters of an inch long, and have coarse fur, blunt snouts and prominent front teeth. Rats are mostly nocturnal and cautious of new objects, which is part of what makes them harder to trap than mice.

Signs of an Rats Problem

• Large, dark, capsule-shaped droppings near walls, food sources or nesting areas
• Gnaw marks on wood, wiring, pipes, plastic and even soft metal
• Greasy rub marks along walls, beams and runways from their oily fur
• Burrows in the yard, along the foundation or under sheds and decks
• Scratching, gnawing or heavy scurrying sounds in walls, attics or ceilings
• Worn runways or tracks through grass, mulch or dusty surfaces

Why Rats Are a Problem

• Rats spread serious diseases through droppings, urine and bites
• They contaminate stored food and food-preparation surfaces
• Gnawed wiring and gas lines create fire and safety hazards
• Burrowing can undermine foundations, slabs and walkways
• They reproduce rapidly, so a small problem escalates quickly

Why DIY Often Falls Short

Rats are intelligent and naturally suspicious of anything new, so they often avoid traps and bait stations for days, and a homeowner who sets one or two traps incorrectly may catch nothing while the population keeps growing. Over-the-counter poisons can leave rats to die inside walls and pose real risks to children, pets and wildlife, and they never address how the rats are getting in. Because rats can chew through many common materials and squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, patching entry points with the wrong materials simply gives them a new spot to gnaw. Effective rat control requires correctly placed traps, careful baiting and durable exclusion, which is difficult to get right without experience.

How a Professional Handles Rats

• A licensed pest control professional will inspect the home, yard and roofline to find nests, burrows and entry points
• A pro can deploy and position traps and tamper-resistant stations where rats actually travel
• Professional treatment typically involves rodent-proof exclusion using gnaw-resistant materials
• A pro can identify whether you have ground-dwelling Norway rats or climbing roof rats and adjust the plan
• A professional will recommend sanitation and habitat changes that remove food, water and shelter
• A pro can return for follow-up visits to verify the rats are gone and stay gone

How to Prevent Rats

• Seal every gap larger than a half inch around the foundation, roofline, vents and utility lines with durable materials
• Trim tree branches and vines back from the roof to block climbing roof rats
• Store food, pet food and birdseed in sealed metal or heavy plastic containers
• Keep trash in bins with tight lids and clear fallen fruit, debris and clutter from the yard
• Eliminate standing water and fix leaks, since rats need a water source
• Keep woodpiles, compost and dense vegetation away from the structure

Rats FAQs