You may be surprised to know that rats often live in relatively close quarters to humans.. much closer than you think! Any basement, crawl space, or attic at your property could be a place of safe harbor for a small rodent community :(
Other than being scary and ugly, rats carry many diseases and pose a health risk to your family, which is why we all want to get rid of them for good!
Luckily, there are several steps you can take to get rid of rats permanently, including; a complete interior and exterior inspection, sealing up holes, cracks, and gaps in your structure, removing readily available food sources, and minimising potential habitats around your home. You can also employ rat traps, using bait or poison, or call in the pros if all else fails.
In this article we will outline why rats infest a home and show you the most effective solutions to get rid of them so they don’t come back. For more rodent control tips and resources please visit our Ultimate Guide to Rat Control.
TLDR;
Getting rid of rats permanently takes more than traps. You need a complete approach that removes food sources, seals entry points, and eliminates the rats already inside your home. Rats are persistent and excellent climbers, so small gaps, open vents, and cluttered yards can quickly lead to a new infestation. With proper trapping, exclusion work, and ongoing prevention, you can break the rat cycle and keep your home rodent-free for the long term.
Or Summarise this article with.
Why We Get Rats Inside Our Home
There are many reasons why rats come inside your house. The primary reasons are for food, water, and shelter. Once comfortable and undisturbed in their new home, they begin to procreate.
People make the mistake of thinking that rats are solely feeding off the scraps in and around your home, but that’s not true. With Rats, the structure that they’re residing in is usually just the place of harborage. Whereas with mice your home, apartment, townhouse, it’s like an all inclusive resort, they are there all day!
Naturally rodents are attracted to open food sources and your garbage areas provide such a treat. We recommend keeping your garbage bins clean and organised as best you can.
Learn more about why we get rodents indoors.
Traps vs. Poison: What Should You Use
It’s important to know when to use Rodenticides and when to use Trapping stations.
It is possible to catch rats without killing them. Catch and release traps are very common as a home DIY solution and sufficient in some circumstances. The downside of the no-kill trap is that you have to dispose of them, which means travelling a few kilometres, usually over a body of water to release them into the nature. Rats have awesome internal homing beacons and have been known to travel up to 10km back to their dwelling, so don’t just release them the next block over. And if you have an infestation on your hands, you could be taking multiple trips to dispose of them. Not enjoyable for anyone!
While most people prefer the poison method, there are some snags to using rodenticides at home. First, they are recommended for indoor use, rodenticides should only be used outside of the home. Secondly, with pets and children around, it’s a big No No. You don’t want to risk poison falling into the wrong hands.
The third drawback is that rodenticides won’t actually force the rodent to leave the home. Rodenticides are anticoagulants which make you feel crappy, and what happens when animals, even humans feel unwell, we like to curl up in a ball and want to stay at home. So if you have rodents in your basement, wall voids, crawlspace, they are going to stay close and you are likely to have a bigger problem of a deceased rat on your hands.
How to Get Rid of Rats Permanently
To get rid of rats from within your home permanently, there are multiple steps you will need to take.
1. Check for Signs of Entry
First we recommend that you check for signs of entry. A thorough inspection is crucial, we don’t want to miss any possible access points.
Once you’ve checked your attic, garage and crawl space for rodent traces, then we want to investigate the rest of your property for signs of entry.
Check up high, if you have a ladder. Rats are expert climbers and typically enter up high on a building’s structure. Tile roofs are also notorious for providing easy access into homes for rats and squirrels.
2. Seal and Secure all Entry Points
The focus is always on trying to find out how they’re getting in and out of the house. Fill any holes, gaps, and cracks you discover in the foundations, concrete, sidings, and under roof tiles etc. There are more than 30 points of ingress that you should be aware of.
Rats and squirrels can fit a hole roughly the size of a quarter (23mm), while Mice can squeeze through a hole approx 6-8mm.
Once you’ve identified the points of ingress, you need to seal up these entryways. And we can do this using a bunch of different exclusion tools like wire mesh, metal flashing, caulking, and copper wool.
Use of a one-way door could be beneficial. Once you find the main access point on the outside at a house where they’re coming and going, you can install a one-way access door. So the rodent can exit the house, but can’t reenter again.
Did you know? Westside Pest Control exclusion materials come with a 5 year warranty. Chat with us to learn more about our warranties and guarantees.
3. Eliminate all Food Sources
Rats are resourceful creatures so don’t give them a chance at obtaining easy food sources. It’s essential to be diligent about ensuring no food sources are accessible to them inside or around your house. Secure your garbage lids properly at all times, and don’t leave leftover food lying around and prevent build up of crumbs on your floors.
If you have pets, you should clean and remove pet bowls overnight. Both mice and rats are attracted to cat and dog food. It’s not typically their food of choice, but they’ll take what nutrients they can to survive and thrive.
Outside of your home, if you’re using a bird feeder, get a higher quality one that is rodent-proof.
4. Remove Rat-Friendly Environments
A great way to get rid of rats permanently is to ensure that they don’t have a place to live inside and around your home. Debris such as woodpiles, dense vegetation, and unorganised piles of gardening items are typical urban habitats for rats.
Remove any debris from around your house and store woodpiles and lumber at least 18 inches above the ground. Trim dense vegetation, cut back tree branches, bushes or any foliage in contact with the structure.
5. Bait with Rodenticides
We already talked about when to use Traps versus Poison. Bait stations using rodenticides (rat poison) are effective ways to get rid of rats permanently.
To give yourself the best possible chance of catching a rat in the trap, keep the bait small and in the centre of the trap.
There are numerous problems associated with mixing poison with edible bait. For instance, if a rat gets away with the bait and drags it across the floor, the poison could potentially spread throughout your floor. This can be hazardous to exposed skin if you’re walking in the area bare foot.
Westside Pest Control does not recommend the use of rodenticides in a DIY situation. Best to consult an experienced rat control expert for best practices in using poison baits.
Warning: If you have pets and children at home, use poison baiting systems with extreme caution.
6. Install Multiple Traps
Trapping is probably the best alternative to rodenticides. Trapping stations are great for rodent control but they require a lot more devices (maybe a dozen or so) and requires regular maintenance which can be arduous for homeowners. There are many new advancements in trapping technology like Electronic Rat Traps, Zapper traps, and Co2 traps.
Set your traps strategically inside and outside the home alongside walls. Traps are most effective when placed against a wall at a 90-degree angle, with the trigger side placed closest to the wall.
Here’s an article that goes into great detail about the best traps available on the market.
Warning: If pets and children are at home, place traps firmly out of their reach.
What next?
Listen for scratching in the walls or ceiling after dusk. Reposition traps, change-up baits, and inspect entryways that you have sealed up.
Learn more about how to get rid of rats in our Ultimate Guide to Rat Control.
Out of ideas?
Call the Westside Rodent Control team for help. Our team has experience and resources to develop a rodent control solution appropriate for your home. We pride ourselves on our ability to get rid of rats permanently in the safest, most eco-friendly, and most effective way possible.
How To Get Rid Of Rats In The Basement
Basements are prime rat real estate. They are dark, quiet, and often full of storage boxes that make perfect hiding spots.
If rats have moved into your basement, start with these steps:
- Inspect the exterior foundation for gaps around pipes, vents, and cracks in concrete. Rats only need a hole about the size of a quarter.
- Set snap traps along walls, especially behind storage bins or near utility lines where rats like to travel.
- Remove clutter and cardboard where rats can hide or build nests.
- Check floor drains and sump pits for gaps that allow rodents to squeeze through.
Basements often connect to hidden wall cavities and crawlspaces. When rats establish a nest here, they can quietly spread through the rest of the house.
How To Get Rid Of A Rat Infestation
A single rat sighting can mean several more are nearby. Rats reproduce quickly, and a small problem can grow into a full infestation in a matter of weeks.
A proper cleanup plan focuses on three key steps:
1. Eliminate the rats already inside
Use snap traps placed along walls, behind appliances, and near known runways. Rats prefer to move along edges rather than open spaces.
2. Seal entry points
Look for gaps around vents, rooflines, plumbing penetrations, and garage doors. Seal holes with steel mesh and durable exterior sealant.
3. Remove food sources
Secure garbage bins, clean up pet food, and harvest fallen fruit in the yard. Rats stay where food is easy to find.
When all three pieces come together, the infestation loses its foothold.
Westside Pro Tip
Want to know if rats are active in your home at night?
Try the flour test.
Lightly sprinkle flour along suspected rat runways such as basement walls, attic beams, or garage edges before bed. In the morning, check for tiny footprints or tail drag marks.
This simple trick helps you confirm where rats are traveling so traps can be placed exactly where they work best.
Our technicians use similar tracking methods when mapping out rodent activity during an inspection.
FAQs
How Do Rats Usually Get Into A House?
Rats are excellent climbers and problem solvers. They often enter homes through roof vents, gaps along siding, foundation cracks, or openings around pipes and utility lines. Some rats travel along tree branches or fences to reach the roof. Once inside, they follow wall cavities and ceilings while staying mostly hidden.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Rats?
In most homes, trapping can reduce rat activity within a few days. Completely solving the problem usually takes longer because entry points must be sealed and nesting areas addressed. Without exclusion work, new rats can move in quickly. A full solution typically combines trapping, structural repairs, and ongoing monitoring.
Why Do Rats Keep Coming Back?
Rats return when a property still offers food, shelter, or easy entry points. Open garbage bins, fallen fruit, bird feeders, and unsealed gaps in the building give rats everything they need. Once rats learn a location is safe and reliable, they will continue revisiting it until those conditions change.