How to Get Rid of Rats
Rats are more than a nuisance. They can damage property, contaminate food, and spread disease. Once they find their way into a home or yard, they can be difficult to control without the right approach. Understanding what attracts rats and how to keep them out is key to effective rat control.
What Attracts Rats to Homes and Yards?
Rats are constantly in search of food, water, and shelter. Homes and outdoor areas that provide easy access to any of these essentials can quickly become targets. Unsecured garbage, pet food, compost piles, bird seed, and even outdoor water sources can attract rats. Inside, cluttered storage areas, gaps in walls, or easy attic access can make perfect nesting spots.
Common Rats Found in Homes
The two most common rat species found in and around homes are:
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Norway rats (brown rats): Typically burrow outdoors but may enter basements or lower levels of buildings.
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Roof rats (black rats):Skilled climbers that often nest in attics, trees, and elevated spaces.
How to Get Rid of Rats in the Home
If you’re already dealing with a rat infestation, here is a step by step guide on how to get rid of rats:
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Inspect Home: Inspect your home’s foundation, walls, and roofline for gaps or cracks.
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Seal Entry Points: Seal any openings larger than ¼ inch. Use items like caulk, steel wool, hardware cloth or cement. Look along common areas to seal like pipes, vents, doors, baseboards and the roof.
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Set Traps: Use snap traps placed along walls, behind appliances, and near signs of activity. Avoid handling traps with bare hands to prevent scent transfer.
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Eliminate Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers, clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and keep trash cans tightly sealed.
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Reduce Clutter: Clear out storage areas where rats could nest, especially in garages, attics, and basements. Tidy up the yard and trim hedges and vegetation along walls.
How to Prevent Rats Around the Home
Preventing rats is often easier than eliminating an infestation. Follow these tips to help keep rats away:
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Routine Inspections: Have a professional inspect the home for any entry points regularly.
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Keep Yards Tidy: Trim vegetation away from the home, remove debris or woodpiles, and harvest fallen fruit promptly.
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Secure Garbage: Use heavy-duty trash bins with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving food waste outside overnight.
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Feed Pets Indoors: Or remove uneaten food quickly if feeding pets outside.
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Maintain the Home’s Exterior: Regularly inspect for signs of chewing, droppings, or gnaw marks that could indicate rat activity.
Common Myths About Rats
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Rats love cheese: While they will eat cheese if available, it’s not their favorite food. They like foods such as peanut butter, nuts, seeds and even meat that are high-protein or high-sugar sources.
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One rat is no big deal: Rats are social creatures and if there is one rat there are usually more nearby.
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Rats only like dirty homes: Rats do not discriminate where they live as long as they find food, shelter and water.
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Having a cat will keep rats away: Some cats are great hunters but not all of them are aggressive enough to eliminate an infestation of a home.
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Rats do not climb: Rats are great climbers and can scale walls, trees, pipes and can also jump several feet.
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Rats are a winter problem only: Rats are a year-round problem as they are always looking for living essentials
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Poison is the best way to get rid of rats: While using poison to kill rats is an option, it can pose risks to yourself, pets and children if not properly handled. Dead rats in hard-to-reach places like behind a wall can also create odor and hygiene issues.
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You can rat-proof your home permanently: Even with consistent monitoring and preventative measures there is a chance for rats to enter a home.
Professional Rat Control
If DIY rat removal methods like snap traps, peppermint oil or ammonia aren’t working, or you want help in getting the rats removed and excluded, professional help from an exterminator is the best next step. Orkin Pros are trained to identify signs of rat infestations, find entry points, and apply proven rat control solutions tailored to your home. Call your local Orkin branch to schedule an inspection and take control of your rodent problem with confidence.
Learn More About Rats
Discover the most common types of rats found in and around homes, including how to identify each species and understand their habits.
Learn what rats eat, what attracts them to homes, and how their diet influences their behavior.
Learn how to identify rat holes, where rats commonly burrow, and what these signs can tell you about a potential infestation. Spotting entry points early can help with effective rat control.
Rat bites can pose serious health risks and may indicate a larger infestation. Understand the signs, potential dangers, and what to do if you or a pet is bitten.
Common rat species like Norway rats and roof rats differ in appearance, habits, and preferred habitats. Knowing the type of rat can help with targeted control efforts.
Rat repellents offer short-term relief but often fall short for long-term control. Explore common types of repellents and when it’s time to consider professional help.