Wood Rats in Your House? Here's How to Get Rid of Them
If you've noticed scratching in the walls, rat droppings in the attic, or chewed-up wires in your garage, you may be dealing with a wood rat infestation. Also known as pack rats, these pests are a common problem for homeowners in South Florida. And if you’re wondering how to get rid of woodrats once they’re inside, you’re not alone.
Here’s how to keep them out for good.
Key Takeaways
- Entry points, like gaps and crevices, must be sealed with caulk and steel wool to keep woodrats out.
- Snap traps with peanut butter or dried fruit should be placed along walls where rats are most active.
- Poison inside the home can lead to dead rats and bad smells, so safer methods like traps are better.
- Cleaning droppings, removing food sources, avoiding repellents, and calling pest control can stop rats for good.
Seal Up Entry Points First
The first step in any rat control plan is to figure out how they’re getting in.
Woodrats typically sneak in through eaves, crawl spaces, or tiny crevices around your roofline. You’ll want to seal any entry points larger than ¼ inch using caulk and steel wool, which they can’t chew through.
This is a major part of our rodent-proof exclusion service at Native Pest Management. We focus on sealing every vulnerable spot, because if you don’t shut the door on them, they’ll keep coming back.
Set Snap Traps with the Right Rat Bait
To catch rats effectively, snap traps are one of the most reliable tools. You’ll want to place traps in areas with obvious rat activity, like along attic beams or behind appliances. Bait them with peanut butter or dried fruit, both of which are hard for them to steal without setting off the trap.
For a successful setup, make sure to set traps with the bait end facing the wall—they like to follow walls as they move.
Don’t Rely on Rat Poison Indoors
Using poison to get rid of rats inside your home can do more harm than good.
If the woodrats eat it and die in the walls or attic, you’ll end up dealing with the smell of dead rats for weeks. Plus, some poisons, especially anticoagulants, can be dangerous to pets and kids if not used properly.
Instead, our rodent control service uses a safer and more effective combination of rat traps, bait stations, and full home exclusion.
Clean Up Droppings and Nesting Materials
Once you’ve started trapping, don’t forget to clean up after the woodrats. Rat droppings, urine, and nesting materials left behind can attract more rodents and carry harmful pathogens.
Always wear gloves and a mask when cleaning, and never vacuum or sweep droppings—this can release particles into the air.
If the infestation was large, you may want to consider a professional attic sanitation service to fully restore the space.
Eliminate Outdoor Food and Water Sources
Woodrats are opportunists, and your backyard might be feeding them without you even realizing it. Left-out pet food, fallen fruit from fruit trees, open water sources, and overgrown wood piles all make excellent homes for rats.
Cut back vegetation, store pet food indoors, and keep trash sealed. Removing these food sources and hiding spots makes your property much less attractive to wood rats.
Use Live Traps for Small-Scale Problems
Live traps can be a humane option if you’re dealing with just one or two woodrats. However, Florida law requires that rats be released on private property with the landowner’s permission, which can limit your options.
If you choose this method, remember to wear gloves when handling traps, and release them far from your home to prevent them from returning.
Skip the DIY Rat Repellents That Don’t Work
You might’ve read online that peppermint oil or other natural repellents can drive woodrats away. While they may mask smells temporarily, they won’t solve an active rat problem.
And glue traps or glue boards can be inhumane and ineffective for larger types of rats, like roof rats or Norway rats.
To get long-lasting results, you’ll need a combination of trapping, exclusion, and prevention—something DIY repellents simply can’t provide.
Call in the Professional Pest Control to Get Results
Wood rats are climbers that chew through electrical wires, and contaminate your home with feces and urine that can carry diseases like hantavirus. If you’ve tried a few tricks and the rodent activity is still ongoing, it’s time to call in the pros.
At Native Pest Management, our comprehensive pest management service includes inspection, trapping, exclusion, and follow-ups—plus pricing that’s tailored to your home’s size.
Contact us now for a free rodent inspection and get expert help backed by thousands of five-star reviews across South Florida.