How to Get Rid of Rats Easily at Home

Rats are more than just a nuisance; they are dangerous. They carry diseases that can spread to humans, they tear up your home wiring and cause fires, and they contaminate your food. In addition, rats carry fleas and other parasites that can also invade your living space and spread diseases. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the simplest and least expensive way of getting rid of rats is by using snap traps.

Things You'll Need

• 6 snap traps
• Peanut butter
• Latex gloves
• Garbage bags
• Caulking compound tube
• Caulk gun
• Disinfectant cleaner
• Sponge or rag

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Instructions

• 1

  Look for rat droppings or listen for scratching noises to pinpoint where the rats are coming into your home. Rats tend to return to the same places.

• 2

  Spread a dime-sized amount of peanut butter on the bait platform located on the snap trap.

• 3

  Pull the bow back and secure the locking bar by hooking it through the v-shaped metal loop located at the end of the trap opposite the bait. Bait and set the remaining five traps in the same way.

• 4

  Arrange all six loaded snap traps around the areas in your home that have the highest amount of rat traffic. Place the traps approximately 6 to 10 feet apart about 3 inches from the wall. Leave the traps undisturbed overnight.

• 5

  Put on a pair of latex gloves.

• 6

  Pick up each trap that contains a trapped dead rat. Hold the trap over an open plastic garbage bag.

• 7

  Pull the bow up until the rat's body slips from the trap and into the bag.

• 8

  Tie the bag tightly and place it in a trash can outside your house.

• 9

  Wash used traps with a household disinfectant, such as diluted bleach, and bait and set them again. Continue the baiting and setting process until you see no more rats caught in your traps.

• 10

  Load a caulking compound tube into your caulk gun.

• 11

  Point the nozzle tube inside the crack or hole the rats are using to enter your home. Squeeze the trigger of the caulk gun until the area is completely sealed. Let the compound set and dry.

• 12

  Wash rat-contaminated areas thoroughly with a household disinfectant cleaner. Scrub the areas with the disinfectant and a sponge or rag and then rinse with plain water.

• 13

  Lay additional baited traps for a few more days until there are no more signs of rats in your home.