Rats are a common nuisance that can invade homes and businesses, causing damage and posing health risks. Getting rid of a rat problem, especially a persistent infestation, requires knowledge and diligence. This guide covers key information on understanding rats, implementing preventive measures, using traps and poison strategically, and seeking professional extermination services when needed. With the right approach, you can eradicate rats effectively.

Understanding Rats: Behavior, Reproduction and Risks

Before tackling a rat problem, it helps to understand rat behavior and biology. Rats are adaptable rodents under the genus Rattus. Two species commonly encountered around human homes are the Norway rat and roof rat.

Physical Features

Norway rats have thick bodies reaching up to 16 inches nose to tail. Roof rats are leaner, getting up to 12 inches long. Both have long tails for balance, pointed snouts for sniffing and rounded ears. They have poor eyesight but excel at climbing, swimming and squeezing into tight spaces.

Habits and Behavior

Rats are nocturnal and avoid humans when possible. They have strong senses of smell and hearing. Rats frequently travel the same paths, leaving odor trails and greasy rub marks along walls. They communicate through squeaks, body posturing and pheromones in urine.

Reproduction and Spread

Prolific breeders, rats can produce several litters per year. Females birth 5-12 pups after a 21-25 day gestation. Young rats mature in 2-3 months, allowing colonies to grow rapidly. Each litter can spread to infest new areas.

Risks and Dangers

Rats pose multiple risks:

• Disease transmission - Rats can directly or indirectly spread dangerous diseases to humans and pets, including leptospirosis, hantavirus, plague and salmonella.

• Property damage - With strong teeth that constantly grow, rats gnaw on materials like wood, PVC pipes, electrical wiring and insulation.

• Contamination - Rats urinate and leave droppings everywhere. Their urine contains bacteria while droppings can harbor disease pathogens.

• Bites and scratches - Cornered rats will bite in self-defense, causing painful injury prone to infection.

Prevention: Keeping Rats Away

Preventing infestations is the first line of defense. Follow these tips to make your home or business less inviting to rats:

Sanitation and Cleanliness

Eliminate food sources and clutter that attracts rats:

• Properly dispose of trash and garbage in sealed containers.
• Clean up crumbs and spills right away.
• Store human and pet food in chew-proof containers.
• Declutter storage areas and yards.

Exclude Entry Points

Inspect for and seal any openings that allow rats inside:

• Caulk or seal holes, cracks and gaps in walls, windows, doors and foundations.
• Install weather strips under doors and door sweeps.
• Cover vents and utility openings with stainless steel mesh.
• Repair damaged window screens.

Deterrents

Use repellents that make rats uncomfortable:

• Place cotton balls with peppermint oil in problem areas.
• Soak cloth or cotton in ammonia diluted with water.
• Use mothballs (keep away from children and pets).
• Encourage natural predators like snakes and hawks.

Trapping Rats

Trapping is an effective method for removing rats. Follow these guidelines to get the best results:

Trap Types

• Snap traps - Traditional spring-loaded traps that kill rats upon triggering.
• Glue traps - Boards or trays with sticky adhesive to trap rats.
• Electronic traps - Deliver electric shock upon sensing a rat's presence.
• Live traps - Cage-style traps that capture rats without killing them.

Baiting Traps

Use bait that appeals strongly to rats' scent and taste:

• Peanut butter
• Cheese (especially pungent types)
• Bacon bits or meat scraps
• Seeds like sunflower and mixed bird seed
• Fruit like melon and berries

Trap Placement

Maximize success by strategic placement:

• Focus on areas with signs of heavy rat activity.
• Set traps along walls and runways rats frequent.
• Place traps near rat entry points like holes or net to potential food sources.
• Use enough traps to intercept rats at multiple points.

Check traps daily and rebait as needed until rats are gone. Dispose of dead rats carefully by double-bagging. For live traps, release rats at least 10 miles away.

Using Rat Poison

Rat poison, also called rodenticides, are pesticides that kill rats. They can provide effective control when used responsibly:

Types of Rat Poison

• Anticoagulants - Disrupt blood clotting leading to internal bleeding. Death occurs 4+ days after consuming bait.

• Non-anticoagulants - Cause neurological damage or other toxic effects leading to death in 1-3 days.

Pros and Cons

Rat poison provides extensive control but has some drawbacks:

Pros

• Highly effective if rats consume the bait
• Kills rats over time, wiping out entire colonies
• Requires little effort once bait stations are set

Cons

• Risk of harming children, pets and wildlife
• Slow acting, leading to inhumane deaths
• Can cause secondary poisoning if animals eat poisoned rats

Safe Usage Tips

Use with caution:

• Choose EPA approved poisons safe for residential use per label directions.
• Use tamper-resistant bait stations to limit access.
• Monitor and replenish bait stations frequently.
• Place stations along walls and known rat paths, away from food or pets.

Double-bag dead rats before disposing in trash. If poisoning occurs, call emergency services right away.

Calling in Professional Exterminators

For severe infestations or if DIY efforts fail, professional exterminators have the expertise to eliminate rat problems. Consider calling them if:

• You are unable to identify entry points or find nests.
• The infestation is extensive with large numbers of rats.
• Your property has had recurring rat problems.
• DIY methods have not resolved the issue.

The Extermination Process

A professional exterminator will:

• Thoroughly inspect to find all rat access points and nesting areas. This is key.

• Develop a customized treatment plan using proven industry techniques and commercial-grade products.

• Secure entry points and use traps, bait, repellents and pesticides per state regulations and protocols.

• Provide follow-up visits and monitoring to ensure rats are eradicated and stays gone.

Post Treatment Tips

After professional treatment, prevent reinfestation by:

• Sealing any new entry points that arise.

• Removing exterior food and water sources.

• Practicing good sanitation and exclusion techniques.

• Scheduling periodic inspections.

Rats are challenging, but not impossible, to get rid of for good. By understanding rat behaviors, implementing prevention early, trapping and poisoning strategically, and using professionals when needed, you can reclaim your space and maintain a rat-free home or business. Consistency and diligence are key.