Rats

1 Eliminate Attractants

Rats are attracted to areas that offer accessible sources of food. These rodents will eat almost anything: crumbs on your floor, trash, food in your cabinet, pet food, etc. By maintaining a clean home, rats will be forced to find somewhere else to live.

• Sweep, mop, dust and sanitize surfaces regularly.
• Store all food and pet food in rodent-proof containers.
• Do not leave pet food out after feeding times.
• Wipe up and sanitize all areas where crumbs or liquids have spilled.
• Keep all indoor and outdoor garbage in secure, airtight containers.
• Clean up fallen berries, fruits and seeds that surround your home.

2 Understand Your Rat Problem

The more rats you have, the more effort it will take to get rid of them. Before taking any further steps to control rats, determine the magnitude of your infestation.

Although rats rarely make themselves visible, they do tend to leave behind signs of their presence, and these are the best indication of the amount of rats present. Signs of rat activity include:

• rat droppings
• grease marks along floorboards, walls, doors, windowsills, etc.
• tooth marks in wood or other structural materials
• large (2") holes in food or other packaging
• chewed insulation, pipes or electrical wiring
• rat tracks in dust or soil

3 Choose the Right Control Method

Use the information below to select the best control method for you. If you have a larger infestation, you may need to employ multiple solutions and put out several traps and repellents at once.

Live Rat Trap

Live rat traps are the best solution for physically removing rats one by one, indoors or out. They are easy to use:

• Select an extra-small or small trap, depending on the size of your rats.
• Position the trap along a wall near your damage or on your rat's travel path.
• Bait your trap with peanut butter or dried fruit.
• Set your trap and check on it frequently.

For step-by-step instructions, read How to Trap a Rat »

Ultrasonic Rat Repellents

Ultrasonic rat repellents drive remaining rats out of indoor areas and keep them from returning. These devices create an uninhabitable environment for rats by emitting constant jackhammer-like sounds that only rodents can hear. These are also very easy to use:

• Plug the device into an unobstructed outlet in the room or area where you've identified damage.
• Relocate any rodent pets to rooms away from the repellents.
• After about a week, rats will begin to relocate. Replace your unit every 2-3 years.

For more information, read How to Repel Rats »