How to Get Rid of Rats in the Walls & Ceiling

Get Rid of Rats

• 1

  Determine the number of rat snap traps you need. A heavy rat infestation of 10 or more rodents calls for 12 or more traps.

• 2

  Glue bait food to the trap’s trigger to ensure a rat sets off the trap before he escapes with the food. Avoid soft baits such as peanut butter, which rodents can eat without triggering traps.

• 3

  Locate places for the traps. Where you set traps is more important than the type of trap you use, according to pest experts at UC Integrated Pest Management Online. Look for lightly trafficked areas where rats travel or live, such as the attic. Telltale hangout signs include rat droppings or gnawed walls. Set traps along walls or other natural pathways so rats must run over the trigger.

• 4

  Set snap traps 10 to 20 feet apart in infested areas.

• 5

  Move traps around if they have not caught rats after two weeks.

• 6

  Remove rats from traps as soon as traps capture and kill the rodents. Use gloves to protect against rat-borne diseases.

• 7

  Place dead rats in plastic bags. Tie plastic bags tightly shut. Dispose of rodents in your outdoor trash. Secure your trashcan lid tightly.

Prevent Rat Infestations

• 8

  Store trash and garden trimmings in trashcans with tight-fitting lids to avoid attracting rats.

• 9

  Give pets just enough to eat in one feeding, because leftover kibble draws rats.

• 10

  Remove fruits or nuts that have fallen off of trees in your yard, and prune seedpods from shrubs, to eliminate other rat food sources. If you have a serious rat problem, get rid of bird feeders as well.

• 11

  Keep branches from bushes and trees at least 3 feet away from the home, because they provide a pathway onto your roof. Also, remove climbing vines from exterior walls.

• 12

  Store lumber and compost piles away from the house, to eliminate hiding places near walls.

• 13

  Seal cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation with foundation sealant. Apply the coating to openings greater than one-quarter of an inch.