The Best Way to Get Rid of Rats in a Home

 

The most effective way to get rid of rats in a home is through a combined approach: seal up all their entry points so they can't get in or out, remove everything that attracts them like food and water, then trap and remove any rats left inside. Poison is not recommended inside homes because it can lead to dead rats hidden in walls, causing bad smells and attracting pests. Here’s how to do it, step by step, so you can solve the problem completely and safely:

 

Understand Why Rats Come Inside

 

Rats enter homes looking for warmth, shelter, food, and water. They can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, and if they find food or a place to nest, they’ll stay and multiply. Understanding this is key to stopping them.

 

Inspect Your Home For Entry Points

 

Walk around both inside and outside your home, looking for any small holes, cracks, or gaps around doors, windows, pipes, cables, roofs, vents, and foundations. Remember: even holes the size of your finger are big enough for a rat. Common places include:

• Gaps under doors (check garage, basement, and exterior doors)
• Openings around utility pipes (gas, water, AC)
• Loose siding or holes in brickwork
• Vents that aren't covered or have holes in the mesh
• Cracks in basement walls or foundations

 

Seal All Entry Points Thoroughly

 

Seal every hole you find with strong materials. Do not use foam or plastic—rats can chew through them. Use:

• Steel wool stuffed into gaps, covered with caulk for small holes
• Metal flashing or hardware cloth (a tough, wire mesh) for bigger holes and vents
• Cement or mortar for cracks in foundations or walls
• Weatherstripping on door bottoms and around windows

Be sure all gaps are thoroughly closed, or rats will simply chew their way back in.

 

Remove Food, Water, and Nesting Materials

 

Clean up anything that feeds or shelters rats:

• Keep all food in sealed metal or glass containers, not plastic or cardboard.
• Clean up crumbs, spills, and grease right away in kitchens and under appliances.
• Don't leave pet food out overnight.
• Fix any leaks and remove water sources under sinks, in basements, and outside spigots.
• Store garbage in bins with tight-fitting lids.
• Clear away clutter piles, paper, soft fabrics, cardboard, and other nesting material.

 

Trap Remaining Rats Inside

 

Once you’ve sealed all entry points, any rats left inside need to be removed. Use traps, not poison. The best types are:

• Snap traps (the classic spring-loaded bar): Place these along walls, behind appliances, and in places where you see droppings or gnaw marks. Bait with peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit.
• Multiple-catch live traps: These catch several rats without killing them, but you must release them far from your home and seal all holes so new ones can’t get in.

Check traps every day. Wear gloves to handle dead rats and dispose of them in the garbage. Wash hands well after.

 

Keep Rats From Returning

 

Ongoing prevention is key:

• Keep up with repairs—check for new holes, chew marks, or possible entry areas, especially after each season change.
• Maintain cleanliness both inside and outside: regularly sweep, vacuum, take out garbage, and clear away debris from around the building perimeter.
• Trim trees and shrubs away from your house so rats can’t climb in from above.

 

What to Avoid and Special Tips

 

• Never use poison inside your home. It’s unsafe for pets, children, and can lead to rats dying in walls or hard-to-reach spaces.
• Don’t rely on electronic repellents or ultrasonic devices—they do not solve the root problem.
• If you have pets, be careful where you place traps—use enclosed, tamper-proof traps if needed.
• If the problem is severe or rats keep coming back, contact a professional pest control service.

 

Summary

 

The best and most permanent way to get rid of rats is to seal all the ways they get in, remove what attracts them, and use traps to clear out any that remain. Prevention and regular maintenance keep them from returning. If you follow all these steps, you can be confident you’ll solve your rat problem safely, thoroughly, and for good.