Rats

What to do about rats

Roof rats are common in Southern California neighborhoods. They are active mostly at night and are often seen running along utility lines, fences, roofs, trees and dense shrubbery.

Rats can nest above ground in attics, wall voids, trees, shrubs and woodpiles. They can also live in burrows, under debris or near trash, pet food, compost and fallen fruit.

Signs of a rat problem

Check your property for signs of rat activity, including:

• Droppings near pet dishes, food storage areas, garages or trash areas
• Noises such as scratching, thumping or squeaking in walls, ceilings or attics
• Gnaw marks on wood, wires, pipes, doors or food containers
• Smudge marks along walls, beams, pipes or other travel paths
• Fruit or nuts that have been chewed or hollowed out
• Burrows near plants, woodpiles, trash areas, sheds or foundations
• Rats traveling along utility lines, fences or rooflines at night

How to help prevent rats

The best way to reduce rat problems is to remove food, water and shelter and block access to buildings.

• Seal openings larger than 1/4 inch, including gaps around pipes, vents, doors, windows, foundations, roofs and eaves.
• Use metal, cement, hardware cloth or other rodent-resistant materials to seal larger openings. Do not use lightweight chicken wire.
• Repair or replace damaged vent screens around foundations, roofs, attics and crawl spaces.
• Remove piles of trash, rubbish, yard debris and unused materials where rats can hide or nest.
• Store lumber, firewood, crates, boxes and other items neatly and off the ground.
• Keep trash containers covered with tight-fitting lids and clean up food residue around trash areas.
• Remove fallen fruit and nuts from trees and the ground.
• Do not leave pet food or water bowls outside overnight. Store pet food in rodent-resistant containers.
• Trim shrubs, vines and dense groundcover. Keep tree branches and climbing plants away from roofs, eaves and walls when possible.
• Repair leaky pipes, irrigation problems or other water sources that may attract rodents.

Using traps

Rat-sized snap traps can be effective when placed where rats travel, such as along walls, fences, ledges, beams or other runways. Bait options include nuts, dried fruit, bacon, dry pet food or a pea-sized amount of peanut butter.

Place traps away from children, pets, birds and other animals. Secure traps when needed so rats cannot drag them away, and check traps daily. Wear disposable gloves when handling traps or dead rodents and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.