How to get rid of rats from your yard and prevent them from coming back (2024)

Set Outdoor Traps for Rats

There are several different kinds of rat traps. Each type of trap uses a different method of catching a rat, but all can be effective. Consider the pros and cons of each trap type to select the best trap for your situation.

Snap Rat Traps

With the right bait and location setup, the traditional snap traps are still the most common and effective way of catching rats. These rodents are primarily nut and seed eaters, so using a small amount of peanut butter or hazelnut spread works best. When temperatures drop outside, rodents tend to slow down and focus on building nests, so you can also lure them by using materials such as cotton balls, dental floss, yarn, or twine. Additionally, make sure you use gloves while setting up – rodents can detect your scent on traps you’ve handled and can potentially deter them from reaching your trap.

Be very careful when setting rat traps. You need to be mindful of where they are and what else may be able to reach them.

Here's a quick video about how to set a rat trap.

How to get rid of rats from your yard and prevent them from coming back (2024)

FAQs

How to get rid of rats from your yard and prevent them from coming back? ›

To prevent rats from living in your yard, you must deny them access to shelter. Keep your yard nicely trimmed and remove any piles of wood, brush, debris, compost piles, dense shrubbery, ground covers, and ivy as this will attract rats over time.

How can I keep rats out of my yard? ›

To prevent rats from living in your yard, you must deny them access to shelter. Keep your yard nicely trimmed and remove any piles of wood, brush, debris, compost piles, dense shrubbery, ground covers, and ivy as this will attract rats over time.

How do you stop rats from coming back? ›

Keeping Rats Out
  1. Don't feed rats. Limit their food source by placing trash in covered metal or heavy duty plastic trash containers. ...
  2. Remove rats' shelter. Indoors, replace wooden basem*nt floors with poured concrete. ...
  3. Keep them out.

What is the fastest way to get rid of rats outside? ›

Here are the methods we recommend:
  1. Seal Outdoor Entry Points. To eliminate outdoor rats, locate potential nesting spots and close them off, reducing the places rats can hide near your home. ...
  2. Remove Nesting Sites and Debris Piles. ...
  3. Remove Food Sources. ...
  4. Use Dry Ice. ...
  5. Set Traps. ...
  6. Use Baits & Poisons. ...
  7. Use Fumigants. ...
  8. Try Repellents.

What do rats hate the most? ›

Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall. The rat appeared to never come back.

Should I be concerned if I see a rat in my yard? ›

Some of the diseases that can be spread from rats to people are bubonic and pneumonic plague, murine typhus, salmonella, leptospirosis, Hantavirus and tularemia. Every day, more and more wildlife habitats are lost to the spread of development. Your gift can help create more humane backyards to protect all animals.

What attracts rats to your yard? ›

 Rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits including oranges, avocados, peaches, lemon, and figs. They are fond of walnuts, almonds, and peanut butter. All fallen fruit and nuts should be regularly removed and discarded in the trash.  Rodents also feed on bird seed, snails, garden vegetables and dog droppings.

What does baking soda do to rats? ›

Reaction of Baking Soda Inside a Rat's Stomach

Mixes with acid: It mixes with the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach. Produces gas: This chemical interaction rapidly produces carbon dioxide gas. Traps gas inside: The rat cannot expel the gas with a burp, leading to its blockage or buildup.

What kills rats ASAP? ›

Snap traps can help make things easier since they kill rats quickly and keep the body in a place where you can easily collect and dispose of it.

What does vinegar do to rats? ›

Rats have a keen sense of smell, and the strong scent of vinegar creates an unwelcome environment for them. It overwhelms their olfactory system, causing discomfort and encouraging them to seek alternative spaces.

How do I get rid of rats in 24 hours? ›

So, what is the fastest way to get rid of rats? Pest control is the most efficient method to get rid of rats quickly but the usage of mouse traps, snap traps, chemical baits, and live traps are all effective methods to get rid of rats as quickly and effectively as possible.

What is the most effective rat repellent? ›

The smell of peppermint, chili pepper, eucalyptus, citronella, and sagebrush are all effective at keeping rats away if applied in the right concentration. They are also deterred by chemical smells like ammonia and bleach.

What smell chases rats away? ›

Eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is a powerful scent that rats find repulsive. This aroma can be highly effective in deterring rats from infested areas, whether it's the strong eucalyptus oil or the distinct fragrance of crushed eucalyptus leaves.

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