How to Get Rid of Rats Under a Deck Effectively and Safely

 

If you want to get rid of rats living under your deck, you need to do three things: remove what attracts them, block their entry points, and use traps or deterrents. It’s essential to be thorough at every step so rats won’t come back. Below you’ll find specific, step-by-step guidance that will ensure you understand and can tackle the problem for good.

 

Remove What Attracts Rats (“Food, Water, Shelter”)

 

Rats are drawn to places where they can eat, drink, and hide. Take these steps to make your yard and deck area unattractive:

• Clear away any fallen fruit, bird seed, pet food, or compost piles near the deck – these are easy meals for rats.
• Trim back bushes and plants touching the deck so rats have fewer hiding spots.
• Ensure there are no water sources around, like leaky hoses, dripping taps, or trays under potted plants.
• Keep garbage in bins with tight-fitting lids and clear away any rubbish, wood, or materials stored under or close to the deck.

 

Block Entry and Exit Points (“Exclusion”)

 

This is called “exclusion”—basically, sealing up where rats get in and out.

• Look carefully around the base of your deck for any holes, gaps, or spaces (rats can squeeze through holes about the size of a quarter, or half an inch across).
• Use heavy-gauge wire mesh (also called hardware cloth) with openings no larger than 1/4 inch. Dig a trench around the deck perimeter at least 10 inches deep and staple or screw the mesh to the deck’s bottom edge. Bury the mesh into the trench, then cover it with soil so rats can’t dig under.
• Seal smaller holes with steel wool packed tightly (rats can’t chew through steel wool), and for larger holes, use a combination of hardware cloth and expanding foam or concrete for a permanent fix.
• Check each year for new gaps or damage—especially after winter, as rats can return if an opening appears.

 

Use Traps for Active Rats (“Population Reduction”)

 

If you still have rats after making your deck less inviting and sealing entry points, use traps to remove any that remain.

• Snap traps are the most effective and humane choice. Place traps parallel to the deck’s outer wall, near any signs of rat activity (like droppings or gnawed wood). Bait with peanut butter, unsalted seeds, or dried fruit.
• Avoid poison baits (“rodenticides”) because the rats may crawl away and die in hard-to-reach places, causing odor. Poison is also dangerous for pets, children, and wildlife.
• Check traps daily and wear gloves when disposing of dead rats. Double-bag them and place in the outdoor garbage.
• If you don’t want to deal with the traps, you can hire a professional pest control company to handle this part safely, especially if the infestation is large.

 

Consider Natural Deterrents (Optional, but Less Effective)

 

There are some products and scents said to repel rats, but these methods are generally much less effective than exclusion and trapping.

• You can try peppermint oil, ammonia-soaked rags, or commercial ultrasonic devices, but rats usually ignore these once they realize they’re harmless.
• Cats and dogs may deter some rats, but don’t rely on pets to solve the problem.

 

Practice Ongoing Prevention

 

Once you’ve gotten rid of the rats, maintain these prevention strategies so they don’t come back.

• Keep vegetation trimmed and don’t store clutter around the deck.
• Check the outside of your home, sheds, and garage for new gaps or holes at least twice a year.
• Promptly clean up any food spills or garbage in your yard.
• Encourage neighbors to follow similar cleanliness routines, as rats will move from one property to the next if food and shelter are available.

 

When to Call a Professional

 

If you continually see rats or suspect a large infestation, contact a pest control professional. They have specialized tools and knowledge to handle persistent or severe problems, and can ensure rats are removed safely and permanently.