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How to Get Rid of Rats in Your House

Rats: How to Get Rid of Rats

  • Trapping Rats
  • Rat Baiting Tips
  • Rodent Inspection
  • Rodent Exclusion
  • Rodents-FAQ

roof rats, norway rats The most common rats in the USA are Norway Rats and Roof Rats. A quick look at the habits of both will help you understand how to inspect and control the rat population.

Norway rats are larger than the smaller, and sleeker Roof Rats. Roof rats have bigger ears and a longer tail than the Norway rat. Also, the roof rat has a pointed nose, and they are excellent climbers. Roof Rats inhabit attics, upper stories, and exterior vegetation. Norway rats occupy lower portions of the building and the ground.

pdf fileCommensal Rodent Identification

Geographic Locations of Roof and Norway Rats

habitat Roof Rats are predominate in coastal areas. Generally, Roof rats stay within 100 miles inland. Roof rats are found in more temperate climates, since they do not do well in cooler temperatures.


Roof Rats

Roof Rat (Black rat, ship rat, ship rat)
roof rat
  • sleek, agile
  • Belly color: gray, white
  • Fur is grayish black to solid black
  • Weighs 5-9oz
  • Tail extends to the snout when pulled, fine scaled and uniformily dark
  • Head is pointed
  • Ears are long enough to reach eyes if folded over.
  • Lives above ground and are good climbers, but may expand nests to underground burrows

Norway Rats

Norway Rat (Sewer rat, brown rat, house rat, wharf rat, water rat and gray rat)
norway rat

  • Large and robust
  • Belly is mostly gray
  • Weighs 12-16 oz
  • Body fur is coarse; reddish to grayish brown
  • Nose is blunt
  • Ears are small and do not reach eyes when pulled down
  • Lives in colonies, often ground-dwelling (burrows along foundational walls), but may nest inside (usually lower floors).

norwayrats or roof rats-difference

1. The First Step for Rat Control is Sanitation, Inspection and Exclusion

  • Inspection is an important first step in getting rid of rats. Once you know the location of the rats, you can set traps or place bait.
    Exclusion is an important rodent control technique. It will get rid of the rats by making it difficult for them to enter the home or structure. Rats are easier to exclude than mice because rats a typically larger. Mice can enter an opening as small as 3/8" wide. All openings greater than 1/4" should be sealed to exclude mice. For rats, all openings greater than 1/2" should be sealed.
  • Please also read the section on Sanitation, as it is an important consideration in rodent control.
  • Rats (especially Roof rats) are wary of new objects, new foods, or changed in the environment. They are constantly exploring surroundings and notice changes and are suspicious by nature. Their suspicious nature is why traps and bait stations may be avoided for a day or two. They approach new food or object with caution. Within a rat colony, they may be a few rats that are extra cautious and manage to avoid traps or eating rodent baits. See Rat Trapping Tips and Rat Baiting Tips.

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2. The Second Step for Rat Control is Trapping or Baiting

The most effective methods to get rid of rats is trapping them and placing rodent baits.

Reducing Rat Populations By Trapping

trapper t rex snap trap

Trapping does have some advantages over baiting. It provides an alternative for those who do not want to place rodenticides.

If the rat population is small enough, trapping can yield quick results when done properly.

Finally, trapping ensures that you can dispose of the dead rats before their odor becomes a problem in an inaccessible area.

  • More Information: Trapping Rats
  • Shop Here: Rat Traps

Get Rid Of Rats With Rodent Bait

contrac blox

Rodenticides are poison baits and should be used in areas where domestic animals and children can't access them.

For protection against accidental poisoning, use tamper-resistant bait stations that hold the baits in place and keep children and pets out.

It is a national law and guideline to use tamper-resistant bait stations in areas where children or pets can access.

We carry single feed bait (requires just one feeding for a lethal dose.)

Rat Baits come in pellets, meal, and block forms.

  • More Information: Rat Baiting Tips
  • Shop Here: Rodenticides and Bait Stations

Read More

  • Table Of Commensal Rodents is a chart to summarize the differences between rats and mice. This difference becomes critical if you choose to trap as an option. You need to choose the proper size.
  • FAQ'S on Rodent Control

How to Get Rid of Rats in Your House

Source: https://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/rats.htm