Oh Rats! 5 Easy Ways to Keep Them Away
This post may contain affiliate links.
Having rats in your home can be a frustrating experience, especially when they return after you’ve done all the hard work to get rid of them. Rats are clever, and clutter and poor organization can create the perfect environment for them to thrive. Here are five simple tips you can follow to make sure rats don’t come back—keeping your space clean, organized, and, most importantly, rat-free.
1. Eliminate Clutter – Especially on Floors and Against Walls
Rats love to hide in clutter. It gives them both food sources and the perfect space to build nests. By keeping your floors, corners, and against walls free of clutter, you remove the ideal spots for rats to take shelter.
Summary: Clutter provides hiding places and nesting areas for rats.
Action Step: Keep floors, corners and against the wall clear of items, especially piles of stuff.
2. Get Rid of Cardboard
Cardboard is an easy target for rats. It’s simple to chew, making it an ideal material for them to nest in. Plus, it provides shelter, food crumbs, and a place to burrow.
Summary: Cardboard is attractive to rats because it’s easy to chew and great for nesting.
Action Step: Replace cardboard with weather-tight plastic bins for storage.
The Clear Weathertight Totes from The Container Store are my favorite for garage/basement storage.
3. Store Food Properly – Especially Pet Food
Rats are attracted to food, and pet food bags and extra Costco snacks are a prime target. Rats can chew through paper or plastic packaging easily. Storing food properly is one of the best ways to keep them out of your home. Food, especially pet food, should be stored in sealed, hard plastic containers.
Summary: Rats can easily chew through bags of pet food, making it an easy food source.
Action Step: Store food in rat-proof plastic containers and clean up spilled food immediately.
Vittles Vault is a great product for rat-proofing pet food.
4. Use Light to Deter Rats
Rats prefer dark, hidden spaces where they can move around undetected. By ensuring your home is well-lit, you make it less inviting for rats to settle in.
Summary: Rats like darkness. Well-lit areas discourage them.
Action Step: Install lighting in dark areas, and use wire shelves and clear bins to let light through.
5. Store Fabrics Properly – No Exposed Rugs or Clothing
Rats love fabric. They hide in it, nest in it, and chew on it. Old clothing, rugs, and fabric piles can be a haven for rats, so it’s important to store them in a way that keeps them safe from rodents—hard plastic bins, NOT trash bags.
Summary: Old fabrics, like rugs and clothes, are perfect nesting material for rats.
Action Step: Store fabric in weathertight plastic containers to keep rats out.
Final Thoughts
By following these five simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the chance of rats taking over your home (or coming back). Keep things tidy, store food properly, and ensure your spaces are well-lit. A little proactive effort goes a long way in keeping those unwanted guests away!
