If you have rats in your yard, getting rid of them as soon as possible is essential. Rats can carry diseases and may also damage your property.
There are a few different ways to get rid of rats, including traps and poison.
You will need to be patient and persistent to eliminate all the rats in your yard.
How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard
What Is The Estimated Rat Population – How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard
It’s estimated there are 7 billion rats in the world. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Rats are often considered pests, spreading disease and contaminating food.
However, they are also an essential part of the ecosystem, as they help to control the population of other animals.
Different Types Of Other Rodents – How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard
1 – Norway Rats
Norway rats are among the most common types of rodents. These rodents are found in nearly every country on earth, and they’re known for their ability to survive in various climates and habitats.
These rats are typically brown or black in color and grow about 16 inches long from nose to tail. These rodents have poor eyesight but make up for it with their strong sense of hearing and smell. These rats are also excellent climbers, and they’re capable of jumping up to three feet high.
Despite their small size, These rats can cause a lot of damage. These rodents are known for chewing through wires, insulation, drywall, and even concrete. Norway rats can also spread diseases like salmonella, murine typhus, pneumonic plague, and leptospirosis through their urine and feces.
2 – Roof Rats
Roof rats are a type of rodent commonly found in urban areas. They are known for their ability to climb and live in high places, such as roofs. Roof rats are also known as black rats or ship rats.
These rats are typically black or brown and have long tails. They are smaller than other types of rats, such as the Norway rat. Roof rats prefer to live in groups and can be found in attics, trees, and other places.
3 – Brown Rats
Brown rats are one of the most common rodent pests in the United States. These animals are also known as Norway rats and can be a severe nuisance to homeowners and businesses alike.
These rats are typically about 14 inches long and weigh between 10 and 16 ounces, including their tail. These animals are brown or black, with light-colored bellies.
These rats have poor eyesight but make up for it with an excellent sense of hearing and smell. These animals are excellent climbers, and they can squeeze through tiny openings.
4 – Black Rats
Black rats are some of the most common. These rodents are known for their potential to spread disease, and they can also cause property damage. While black rats are not as large as some other rat species, they can still pose a serious threat.
Telltale Signs Of A Rat Infestation – How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard
1 – Rat droppings
A clear sign of an infestation is the presence of rat droppings. These can be found near where rats are active or where they nest. Rat droppings are small and dark, often with pointed ends.
2 – Rub marks
Rub marks are streaks or smudges left behind by rats as they travel along walls and other surfaces. They are usually dark in color and may be seen along baseboards, in corners, or on walls near areas where rats have been active. If you see rub marks in your home, it’s a good indication that you have a rat infestation.
3 – Scratching noises
If you have a rat infestation, you may be hearing scratching noises in your walls or ceiling.
4 – Rat holes
If you have a rat problem, the first thing you’ll likely notice are rat holes. These small openings are where rats enter and exit your home, and they’re usually about 2-4 inches in diameter. Look for small holes in your walls or floors – these are likely entrances for rats.
5 – Rat nests
Rats are social creatures and live in colonies, so if you find a nest made out of shredded paper or fabric, there’s a good chance rats are living there.
6 – Footprints
There are telltale signs that you may have a rat infestation, but one of the most obvious is footprints.
If you see footprints in your home, it’s a good indicator that rats are present.
Here are some things to look for:
1. Footprints in dust or powder: If you see footprints in areas where there is dust or powder, it’s likely that rats have been walking through it.
2. Footprints in soft materials: Rats leave prints in soft materials like mud, sand, and snow. If you find prints in these materials, it’s a good indication that rats are present.
7 – Gnaw Marks
Gnaw marks: Rats have sharp incisors that they use for gnawing. If you see gnaw marks on wood, plastic, or metal surfaces, it’s a good sign that rats are present.
Why Rats in the Yard are a Problem – How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard
1 – Pet Food
Rats may seem like harmless creatures that only come out at night, but if you have rats in your yard, they can pose a serious threat to your pets.
Rats are attracted to pet food, and if they find an easy food source in your yard, they will keep coming back.
2 – Go Through Trash Cans
Rats are a problem in many yards because they go through trash cans looking for food. This can lead to rats getting into the house, where they can cause damage and spread infectious diseases.
Three things that you can do to stop rats from invading your garbage can:
- Keep your trash cans clean and free of food scraps
- Store your trash cans in a shed if possible.
- If you have pet food outside, ensure it is in a container that rats cannot get into.
3 – Chew Through Electrical Wiring (They Get Into Wire Mesh)
Rats are a problem for many homeowners because they can chew through electrical wiring. This can create a fire hazard and cause expensive damage to your home.
4 – Damaging Wooden Structures
Most home and business owners are unaware of the telltale signs of a rat infestation until it’s too late. By then, the rodents have already caused considerable damage to wooden structures.
Rats are capable of causing serious damage to wood by gnawing and chewing. The chewing action of rats can weaken structural support beams, joists, and studs. In addition, rats will also urinate and defecate on wood, which accelerates the rotting process.
5 – Damaging Cars
You may have a rat infestation if you’ve noticed your car’s paint job mysteriously deteriorating or any new chew marks on the wiring under the hood.
- You might see rats near your car or inside your garage.
- Droppings are another sign that rats are using your car as their toilet.
- If you start hearing strange noises inside your car, rats are likely gnawing on wires and other parts of the car. This will not only damage your car, but it can also be dangerous if the chewing causes a short circuit.
6 – Lowering Property Value
If you see rats in your neighborhood, it’s a telltale sign of an infestation. And that’s not good news for your property value.
Rats are unsightly, they spread disease, and they can cause damage to your home. All of these factors will lower your property value.
If you have a rat problem, getting rid of them as soon as possible is essential.
What to do to Prevent Rats in the Yard
1 – Rat Traps (How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard)
If you have rats in your yard, the best way to get rid of them is to use rat traps. There are different rat traps, so you must choose the one best for your situation.
Find out where rats are coming from. Once you have found a good location, place the bait the trap with something that rats like to eat, such as fallen fruit, peanut butter or the most obvious, cheese.
If you have several rats in your yard, it may take a few days to catch them all. Be patient and check the trap regularly. Once you have caught all the rats, dispose of them properly so they cannot return.
2 – Glue Traps (How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard)
If you don’t want rats in your yard, you can do a few things to prevent them from moving in. One is to use glue traps.
Glue traps are the go to rat trap because they are attracted to the sticky surface. Once they step into the trap, they are stuck and can’t escape.
You can buy glue traps at most hardware stores or online. It is always a smart move to place them in areas where you’ve seen rats or where you think they may try to enter your home. Check the traps regularly and dispose of any rats that have been caught.
Glue traps are a humane way to control rat populations and keep your property rodent-free.
3 – Poisoned Bait (How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard)
Poisoned bait is one of the most effective ways to prevent rats in the yard. Bait stations should be placed where rats are active, such as along walls, corners, and near garbage cans.
The stations should be baited with a rat poison approved by the EPA for use around children and pets.
To prevent rats from getting into the yard in the first place, keep trees and shrubs trimmed, so they don’t provide cover for the rodents. In addition, seal any holes or cracks in the foundation of the house to prevent rats from getting inside.
4 – Snap Traps (How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard)
If you have rats in your yard, the best way to get rid of them is to use snap traps.
Snap traps are easy to set up, and they work quickly. Rats are attracted to the bait, which is usually some type of food, and when they try to take it, the trap snaps shut and kills them.
You can buy snap traps at most hardware stores or online. They are not expensive, pretty much the same as traditional snap traps, and they are very effective at getting rid of rats.
Just be sure to set them up properly and put them in areas where rats are likely to travel.
5 – Pest Control (How to Get Rid of Rats in Yard)
If you have rats in your yard, you must take quick action to prevent them from becoming a bigger problem.
- Keep your yard free of debris. Rats love to hide in clutter, so ensure your yard is clean and tidy and has clear open spaces.
- Remove any sources of food and water. If rats can find food and water in your yard, they’ll likely stick around. Make sure garbage cans are sealed tightly, and there is no standing water for them to drink.
- Trim back trees and overgrown shrubbery. Rats love to climb, so keeping vegetation trimmed back will make it harder for them to get in.
Dealing With A Rat Infestation In Your Yard? Call Us
Patrick’s Pests & Plants is a local exterminator business that can help you with your rat problem.
Call us a get a free quote or expert advice on the best course of action (best solution) to eradicate rats and mice from your yard.