For your Home
Login or register for the customer portal
© 2025 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the legal statement.
Professional rat removal is the quickest and most effective way to get rid of rats. Expert services offer a reliable form of rat control and a long term solution to a rat infestation.
Finding rats in your home and hearing suspicious noises coming from your roof or behind your walls can be very frightening. Rats discovered in business premises too can pose a real threat to stored products and damage to property.
On top of the health hazard, rats have also been known to cause fires by chewing through wiring. They can even gnaw through wood, plastics and mild steel.
Solutions can vary greatly depending on the species infesting your home or business. You need to be sure you have a rat problem and not a mouse infestation.
The situation can be even more challenging as rats are nocturnal; making it unlikely that you will actually spot a live rat. However, once spotted, rats are easy to identify. Black rats have a pointed nose, large ears and a slender body while brown rats have a rounded nose, small ears and a thicker body.
Knowing the signs of a rat problem is just as critical as being able to correctly identify a visible rat. Correct identification will help you to choose the most effective control method, helping to save you time, money and worry.
Detecting a rat infestation early can prevent extensive damage and health risks. There are several telltale signs to look for. Droppings are among the most obvious indicators; rat droppings are typically dark, oval-shaped, and about the size of a raisin. You might also notice gnaw marks on furniture, walls, or food packaging, as rats constantly chew to keep their teeth from growing too long.
Nests made from shredded paper, fabric, or insulation may also be found in hidden areas like attics or basements. Additionally, the presence of tracks or smudge marks along walls, particularly in dusty areas, can indicate frequent rat activity. Lastly, listen for unusual sounds at night, such as scratching or squeaking, which often signal that rats are moving around your property. Recognizing these signs promptly can make all the difference in addressing a rat problem before it escalates.
To effectively assess whether you have a rat problem, it's crucial to know where to look. Start by inspecting basements, crawl spaces, and attics—areas that provide shelter and warmth. Check behind appliances such as refrigerators and stoves, where rats often find hidden paths and food sources.
Garages and sheds are also common hiding spots, especially if they contain clutter or storage boxes. Look in pantry areas and around food storage sites, as rats are attracted to easily accessible food.
Check out our video highlighting the common hotspots where you may find rodent activity around your home and what you can do to help keep them out.
Outside your home, examine garbage cans, compost piles, and areas with dense vegetation or debris. Pay close attention to the perimeter of your property, particularly near fences or walls. Conducting a thorough inspection of these areas can help identify potential entry points and nesting sites, allowing you to take action before the problem worsens.
When it comes to getting rid of rats, there are two methods: DIY or hire a professional.
The DIY option requires you to purchase and correctly use rat control products.
The professional option requires you to hire a pest controller to get rid of the problem for you.
If you decide to control a rat problem on your own, you have a few basic and cheap options available.
You could buy some traps from a local hardware store. There is a wide range of traps available from enclosed to wooden options. You can even buy specific baits to lure them to your traps.
Home improvement is another key action. This should involve preventing access to rats.
Although a DIY solution is a cheaper alternative to professional treatment, it does have some risks.
If you opt for rodenticides as part of your DIY rat control strategy, it’s essential to use them safely and effectively. Rodenticides are poisons specifically designed to eliminate rats, but they can pose risks to pets, children, and non-target wildlife if not handled with care. Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions meticulously.
When using rodenticides, place them in areas that are inaccessible to children and pets, such as inside enclosed bait stations or secured cabinets. Be mindful of where you apply these products; avoid placing them near food or areas where pets and wildlife frequent. Monitoring the bait stations regularly is crucial, allowing you to refill or replace bait as needed while also ensuring that no unintended animals have been affected. If you notice a dead rat, remove it promptly to avoid attracting other pests and to maintain hygiene.
Remember, while rodenticides can be effective, they should be used as part of a broader pest management strategy.
Baiting is a critical component of effective rat control and can significantly enhance your chances of success. When selecting bait, consider using foods that are particularly appealing to rats, such as peanut butter, dried fruit, or bacon. These enticing options can lure rats into traps more effectively than other food sources.
Placement of bait is equally important.
When you have rats in your home or business, it is important to take action quickly. While there are different DIY options available, it is important to know that they don't always work. There are several benefits to calling in the professionals to take care of your rat problem.
Easy - Having a professional take care of the situation takes all of the pressure off of you. Because even if you do implement DIY methods, how do you know that you are implementing them correctly? Our specialists take all of the guess work out of handling your infestation, and will make the whole process stress free.
Efficient - With several DIY options available, it can be hard to determine which option will work best. And what happens if it doesn't work? You're back to the drawing board and you've wasted precious time allowing for the problem to continue to grow. Pest control professionals will be able to assess your property and find the source of the problem quickly. Once they find the source, they will know what plan of action to take to efficiently remove the rats.
Safe - Ultimately, safety should be the number one concern when dealing with rats. Rats are one of the biggest transmitters of disease, and are known carriers of ticks, which carry many diseases of their own. Bottom line is you don't want to be touching rats. Our specialists know how to safely remove rats from your home, while keeping your family and pets safe.
To find the right professional pest control company, you need to ensure the entire organization, as well as the pest control technicians are able to fulfill key criteria.
You should expect the same level of competence and duty of care as provided by any other professional service provider.
A good pest partner should be able to anticipate and answer all your health and safety concerns. Services and treatments should be tailored to suit your needs as much as possible.
Crucially a professional should also respect your home, property or business site and operate with the greatest care and attention. He or she should be able to voice any challenges or restrictions right from the start. Equally, as a customer, you should always feel able to voice any concerns and ask as many questions as you need to.
Key criteria for Selection:
Preventing rats from entering your home is a vital step in pest management. A proactive approach can help significantly reduce the likelihood of an infestation.
One of the most effective ways to rat-proof your home is by sealing entry points. Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small openings; a hole as small as half an inch can provide access. Inspect the exterior of your home for gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and vents. Use materials such as steel wool, caulk, or metal mesh to fill these gaps. Pay particular attention to areas where utility lines enter the home, as these are common entry points.
Ensuring that door sweeps are intact and that windows and screens are well-fitted. Repair any damaged screens and consider installing door sweeps to eliminate potential entryways.
Regular maintenance checks of your home’s exterior can help identify and address these vulnerabilities before they become a problem and water sources.
Rats are opportunistic feeders and will take advantage of easily accessible food and water sources. To help deter them, it’s essential to eliminate these attractants. Storing food in airtight containers and keeping food storage areas clean can help keep rats away. This includes pet food, which should also be stored securely.
Regularly clean up crumbs and spills in kitchens and dining areas. It’s also critical to manage waste effectively; use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and dispose of garbage frequently. Additionally, ensure there are no standing water sources around your home.
Fix leaks and eliminate stagnant water from areas such as gutters, bird baths, and pet water bowls. By removing these resources, you can help significantly decrease the likelihood of attracting rats.
Rats are attracted to overgrown vegetation and debris, which can provide shelter and nesting opportunities. Keep your yard tidy by regularly mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, and removing debris such as fallen fruit, compost piles, and excess leaves.
Maintaining a clean and organized yard not only discourages rats but also makes it easier to spot potential nesting sites. Consider using gravel or mulch to reduce dense ground cover, and ensure that wood piles and construction materials are stored off the ground and away from your home.
Rats are very good at climbing. Roof rats (as indicated by their name) are experts at climbing. Their tiny claws help them scale the sides of houses in search of points of entry. Roof rats will also use trees near the property to clamor up branches to get across to the roof. Once on a roof, rats can use their claws and teeth to chew holes right through roofing tiles and get inside your attic.
Rats get into your attic because they are looking for a warm place to make a nest with easy access to food. Once they make a nest in your home, they can breed and raise their young. With multiple rats in your attic, they can cause quite a bit of damage. They can chew through just about everything. Their teeth are strong and they can easily chew through wood and drywall. They will also chew through electrical wiring and wiring insulation, creating an electrical fire hazard.
That's just the start. Rats are also known be carriers of various diseases from Bubonic plague to hantavirus. They leave feces, urine and other messes behind, all of which can be a health hazard. Plus, they breed quickly and you can soon end up with rats running up and down inside the walls, in your basement and all around the house.
Rats inside homes need to be removed quickly and steps put in place to stop them from returning. To keep your home and family safe, it's best to call in experts who can find their hiding spots, provide effective treatment and keep rats away from your home.
We manage rat infestations using the ERDM (Exclusion, Restriction, Destruction, Monitoring) approach. This comprehensive method ensures not only removal but also long-term prevention of future infestations.
Rodent exclusion is the first line of defense against rats. It involves sealing entry points that rodents can exploit to access your home. Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so it's essential to inspect the exterior of your property thoroughly. This includes checking for cracks in walls, gaps around windows and doors, and any openings around plumbing or electrical lines.
We use durable materials like steel wool and caulking, which can help close these gaps effectively, preventing rats from finding shelter and food inside your home or business.
Restriction focuses on limiting the resources available to rats. Examples of this include removing food and water sources that attract these pests. We commonly advise home or business owners to store food in airtight containers, regularly clean up spills and crumbs, and tightly seal garbage bins.
Additionally, fixing any leaks and eliminating standing water can significantly reduce the likelihood of attracting rats, as they require consistent access to water.
Destruction involves actively eliminating any existing rat populations within the home. This can be achieved through various methods, including traps, rat baits, and, in some cases, the careful use of rodenticides.
Our team of professionals will apply methods tailored to the specific type of rat and the severity of the infestation.
After implementing exclusion and destruction methods, continuous monitoring helps ensure that rat populations do not return. We conduct regular inspections and set up traps to catch any new arrivals.
Additionally, educating home or business owners on signs of a rat infestation can aid in early detection, allowing for prompt action before a small problem becomes a larger issue.
Ready to reclaim your space from rodents (or any other pest)? Contact Ehrlich pest control today
Natural and non-toxic methods for rat control are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners looking to manage or prevent small infestations while minimizing environmental impact. These approaches focus on the prevention and humane treatment of pests.
Natural repellents can play a small role in deterring rats from entering your living space.
Essential oils, such as peppermint and eucalyptus are effective due to their strong scents (that rats find unappealing). Home or business owners can use cotton balls soaked in these oils around potential entry points or create a spray solution to treat areas where rat activity is suspected.
If your infestation is more severe, traps and physical barriers are essential to a comprehensive rat control strategy.
Humane traps can capture rats alive for safe relocation, ensuring that non-target species remain unharmed. To prevent rats from gaining access, it is also important to seal any cracks and gaps in your home. Durable materials, such as steel wool or caulking, can effectively block entry points.
It is most effective to contact a pest control professional for help on the best, most eco-friendly rat bait traps and barrier prevention tips.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. By using the life cycle of pests and their interaction with the environment, Ehrlich can judicially apply pesticides in a manner least hazardous to people, property and the environment.
At Ehrlich, our qualified local specialists are backed by global knowledge and innovation. We have the expertise to offer specialized rat control to your home or business, which can guarantee fast removal through the use of safe and targeted treatments.
We can use our rat bait stations developed in-house to successfully control a large infestation.
If you have spotted signs of a rat infestation, such as droppings or an unpleasant urine smell, it is time to get professional treatment.
Need to get rid of rats in your home or business? Contact Ehrlich today at 855-411-0850 for fast, effective treatments.