Rats are dirty, sneaky animals that can damage your home and spread disease. If you live in Washington, you might see two kinds of rats, Roof Rats and Norway Rats. Both are big problems, but the good news is: you can stop them with some smart tips or by turning to expert pest extermination when needed.
Here’s an easy guide to help you keep rats out of your home and what to do if they show up.
1. Know What Kind of Rat You Have
Not all rats are the same.
- Roof Rats are slim, black or dark brown, and love to climb. They usually live in high places like trees or attics.
- Norway Rats are bigger and chunkier. They like to dig and often hide in crawl spaces or under buildings.
Knowing which kind of rat you’re dealing with helps you figure out where to look, and how to stop them.
2. Look for Rat Clue
Here’s how you might know rats are nearby:
- You see little black droppings.
- You hear scratching on the walls or ceiling.
- You find chewed food packages or gnawed wires.
- You notice nests made of paper, fabric, or leaves.
- You see greasy marks along walls or baseboards.
- Your pets act strangely, like barking at walls or floors.
3. Take Away Food and Water
Rats love free snacks. To stop feeding them:
- Put food in tight containers (no cardboard or plastic bags).
- Clean up crumbs and spills right away.
- Empty pet food bowls when not in use.
- Seal garbage cans with tight lids.
- Pick up fallen fruit from trees and gardens.
- Fix leaky pipes and don’t leave standing water around.
4. Close Off Their Hiding Spots
Rats need places to hide and sleep. Make your home less cozy for them by:
- Keeping your yard clean and trimmed.
- Moving firewood off the ground and away from the house.
- Cleaning out sheds, basements, and garages.
- Removing piles of leaves, trash, or old furniture.
5. Seal Up Entry Holes
Rats can squeeze through tiny gaps, some as small as a quarter! Check your home carefully:
- Use steel wool or wire mesh to fill in small holes.
- Add brush strips under doors.
- Patch cracks in walls, vents, and around pipes.
- Cover open chimneys or attic vents with screens.
6. Set Traps Safely
If rats are already inside, you’ll need to catch them. Traps help you do that.
- Snap traps are quick and cheap.
- Live traps catch rats without killing them, but you’ll need to release them far away.
- Glue traps aren’t the best, they’re messy and not very kind.
Use safe bait like peanut butter, bacon bits, or apple slices. And always place traps where kids and pets can’t reach them.
7. Be Careful with Poisons
Rat poison can work, but it can also be dangerous for pets and people. Only use it if you’re careful and follow all the directions. Place it in spots rats go, like crawl spaces or behind walls, but keep it away from everyone else.
For safety, it’s often best to let a professional handle poisons.
8. Call a Pro if You Need Help
If rats keep coming back or you just don’t want to deal with them yourself, it’s okay to call a pest control expert. They know how to find nests, set traps the right way, and make sure rats don’t come back.
Final Tip
Rats can spread fast, so act early. The sooner you stop them, the easier it is to keep your home safe, clean, and rat-free.