Rats can be a major, but unseen problem in a home. They can cause damage, contaminate food, and transmit disease. But because they are nocturnal, rats are rarely seen in the open during the day. However, it is easy to see signs of their presence.

Signs of rat presence include:

• live or dead rats.
• droppings, especially around human or pet food or in or around trash areas.
• noises in the dark, such as scratching sounds from the attic.

• nests or piled nesting materials in hidden areas.
• evidence of gnawing of wires or structural wood.
• burrows around the yard; under the home or outbuildings; or gnawed fruits in trees.
• smudge marks along walls or rodent hairs along paths, in nests, or near food.

Thankfully, there are a number of options for control of this nasty rodent.

Rat Traps

Traps can be an easy and inexpensive option, as the equipment is relatively cheap and the traps, especially if unbaited, can be left in place for long periods. However all traps, baited or unbaited, must be regularly inspected, as a dead or dying rat or a food bait can attract secondary insects and cause an infestation. Traps should be set where rat signs are seen and in out-of-the-way, hidden areas, especially in attics, basements and near food sources. Always take care to keep traps away from potential triggering by children or pets.

• Snap Traps. Rat-sized wooden or plastic traps can be one of the most effective means of capturing and killing rats, and can be the least expensive. When using a snap trap to capture a rat, be sure to use a larger trap specified for rat control. The small mouse traps are not likely to kill or hold the rat, and could, instead, inhumanely injure the rodent.
  
  

• Live Traps. Live traps take advantage of the rodents natural tendency to investigate and wiggle into holes. These traps are designed so the rodent can get in but cannot get out. This is often through a wind-up mechanism triggered by touch. When the rodent goes into the hole, the mechanism snaps it to the other side of the trap which is completely enclosed.
  These traps must be regularly inspected and emptied. In addition, once captured, the rodent must be humanely killed or released where it won't reenter the home or building or be of harm to others.
  
  
• Glueboards. Glueboards are not usually very effective in rat control, as these larger rodents can sometimes pull themselves loose from the glue or, if caught by only a foot or two, it can simply drag the board around stuck to its body.

Rodent Baits

• On or In Traps - Dry pet food can be a very attractive bait for rats, as can nuts, dried fruits and dried meats, such as bacon. These can be attached to the trap with thread, wire or even glue. For rats, soft baits, such as peanut butter and cheese, are not always effective, because they are sometimes able to take the bait without snapping the trap.
  
  
• Rodenticides. Rodenticides are the poison pesticides for the killing of rats and mice. While some are available through retail outlets, a new EPA regulation has now limited those available to the general public to specific baits that are sold in disposable, ready-to-use bait stations. This can help protect children and pets from inadvertent contact with or eating of these poison baits. If the rat population has gotten high, it may be best to contact a licensed pest control professional, as they access to and knowledge of proper use of bulk rodenticides. Otherwise, it is generally recommended that homeowners use traps to control and eliminate rats.
  When any pesticide or rodenticide is used, all label directions must be read and precisely followed.
  
  
• Bait Stations. Bait stations are enclosed equipment in which a rodenticide bait is placed. The station does not trap the rat, instead, when used properly and locked in place, it enables the poison baits to be used while being protected against accidental contact or ingestion by children or non-target animals.

Bait and Trap Placement

The most important aspect of any control effort is placement of the trap or bait. The two most common rats in the U.S. are the roof rat and the Norway rat. Because they have different characteristics, traps should be set differently for each:

• Roof rat. As its name indicates, this rat is most likely to be found in higher places and upper levels of the home. Thus traps should be placed off the ground in the attic, rafters of the garage, on shelves and ledges.
• Norway rat. This rat is less of a climber, so traps should be placed in hidden areas, along walls, in dark corners, etc.

It is important that all traps be placed where they will not be disturbed by children or pets, and that they be protected against accidental contact.