How do you get rid of big rats?

Getting rid of big rats, which are usually Norway rats that can weigh up to eighteen ounces and are larger and stronger than mice, requires larger and stronger control methods than for mice and a focus on exclusion and sanitation. First, inspect your home and yard for signs like large droppings about half to three quarters inch long, burrow holes near foundations, greasy rub marks along walls and pipes, and gnaw marks on wood and food packaging. Big rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar, about half an inch, so seal all entry points with steel wool combined with caulk, metal hardware cloth, or cement, especially around pipes, vents, doors, and garage doors, and install door sweeps. Remove food attractants by storing all food including pet food and bird seed in airtight metal or glass containers, cleaning up crumbs and grease, securing trash in sealed bins, and removing fallen fruit and compost. Use rat-sized snap traps, often called T-Rex traps, with powerful springs that kill within seconds, or electronic rat traps that deliver a high-voltage shock, baited with peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit, placed perpendicular to walls along runways where droppings are found, using six to twelve traps at once and checking daily. Avoid relying solely on poison because big rats may die hidden in walls causing severe odor. For heavy infestations, call a licensed pest control professional.