Five Common Rat Control Mistakes Homeowners Make – And How to Avoid Them. A Detailed Video Guide Included

Introduction: Are You Handling Rats the Wrong Way?

Discovering rats in your home can be an alarming experience. These unwelcome guests don’t just chew through walls and wires—they bring serious health risks, contaminate food, and breed rapidly, turning a minor issue into a full-blown infestation in no time.

Naturally, most homeowners rush to fix the problem themselves. But DIY rat control often backfires because people unknowingly make critical mistakes that actually worsen the infestation rather than eliminating it.

At TSR Pest Control and Wildlife Removal, we’ve seen it all. Time and again, we get called in after a homeowner has tried and failed to solve their rat problem on their own. The truth is, effective rat control isn’t just about setting a few traps—it’s about understanding how rats behave, where they enter, and how to prevent them from returning.

💡 That’s why we created a full video guide!

Watch it here:

https://youtu.be/Pyp5-PsX8xs

In this blog post, we’ll break down the five most common mistakes people make when trying to remove rats, explain why these mistakes don’t work, and provide expert advice on how to fix the problem correctly.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear action plan to eliminate rats permanently, protect your home, and avoid costly future infestations.

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Traps

Imagine this: You find a rat in your kitchen. You rush to the hardware store, buy a couple of traps, and place them around your home, hoping for the best. A few days go by, and… nothing. Or worse, you find a trap that’s been triggered but is empty, meaning the rat escaped injured and is now even warier of your efforts.

Why Store-Bought Traps Fail🚫 Cheap plastic traps break easily – Many snap traps don’t have enough force to kill large rats instantly, allowing them to escape.
🚫 Glue traps are inhumane and ineffective – These traps might catch smaller rodents, but large rats can often free themselves or suffer prolonged, painful deaths.
🚫 Electronic traps aren’t always reliable – Battery-operated rat traps don’t always activate properly, and some rats are cautious about stepping inside enclosed spaces.

The Right Way to Trap Rats

✅ Use professional-grade snap traps – These are strong enough to ensure a quick, humane kill and are far more effective than store-bought options.
✅ Strategic placement is key – Rats tend to follow established paths along walls. Placing traps in the middle of a room is useless. You need to set them where rats travel, near food sources and entry points.
✅ Bait smartly – Peanut butter, nuts, and dried fruit work well. Don’t overload the trap with bait, or rats will nibble without setting it off.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Entry Points

Here’s the harsh reality: Killing the rats inside your home doesn’t solve the problem. If you don’t block how they got in, new rats will continue entering, and the infestation will never truly be over.

How Rats Are Getting Inside Your HomeRats can squeeze through gaps as small as a quarter. They don’t need a wide-open door--a tiny hole in your siding, foundation, or roof is enough.

Common Entry Points Rats Use to Invade Homes

🕳️ Cracks in the foundation
🕳️ Gaps under doors or garage doors
🕳️ Vents and exhaust openings
🕳️ Holes in walls from electrical wiring and pipes
🕳️ Unsealed roof vents and chimneys
🕳️ Drainpipes and sewer lines

How to Rat-Proof Your Home

✅ Conduct a full exterior inspection – Walk around your house and check for any holes, cracks, or gaps that rats could be using.
✅ Use the right materials – Steel mesh, concrete, and metal flashing are your best friends. Avoid foam sealants alone, as rats can chew right through them.
✅ Trim trees and shrubs near your home – Overgrown vegetation can provide easy access to your roof and attic.

🐀 Pro Tip: Rats have incredible memory and will return to old entry points if they aren’t properly sealed. TSR Pest Control can conduct a thorough rat-proofing inspection to secure your home permanently.

Mistake #3: Using the Wrong Kind of Poison

Many homeowners rush to buy rat poison from the store, thinking it’s the easiest solution. But this often backfires in several ways.

Why DIY Rat Poison is a Bad Idea

⚠️ Store-bought rat poisons are weak – Over-the-counter products may only make rats sick, instead of eliminating them.
⚠️ Rats die in hidden places – When a poisoned rat crawls into a wall, attic, or under the floor, it dies and decomposes, leading to horrible odors, maggots, and flies.
⚠️ Improper placement is dangerous – Many poisons end up harming pets, wildlife, or even children when not used correctly.

The Right Way to Use Rat Poison

✅ Licensed exterminators have access to professional-grade rodenticides that aren’t sold to the public. These products are far more effective than store-bought versions.
✅ There are hundreds of different rodenticides – Only a professional knows which one to use based on the infestation, environment, and risks.
✅ Some poisons cause dehydration so rats leave your home before dying, minimizing odor issues.

🐀 The best approach? Let a professional handle it. TSR Pest Control’s experts choose the safest, most effective method to eliminate rats while protecting your home and pets.

Mistake #4: Not Cleaning Up Properly

Even if you’ve gotten rid of the rats, you’re not finished yet. Rat droppings, urine, and nesting materials pose serious health risks and can attract new rodents if left untreated.

Why Cleaning Up After Rats is Crucial

🦠 Rat droppings can carry diseases like Salmonella and Hantavirus.
🦠 Urine-soaked insulation retains odors that attract new rodents.
🦠 Chewed wires create fire hazards that can lead to costly repairs.

Proper Rat Cleanup Steps

✅ Wear gloves and a mask – Avoid direct contact with droppings and nesting materials.
✅ Use an enzyme-based disinfectant – This kills bacteria and eliminates pheromone scents that attract more rats.
✅ Replace contaminated insulation – If rats were in your attic, damaged insulation must be removed and replaced.

🐀 At TSR Pest Control, we don’t just remove rats—we also clean, disinfect, and restore your home to ensure long-term rat prevention.

Mistake #5: Thinking It’s a One-Time Problem

Rats are survivors. If they’ve invaded your home once, they will return unless you take preventative measures.

How to Keep Rats Away for Good

✅ Store food in airtight containers – This includes pet food and birdseed.
✅ Keep garbage bins sealed – Rats are experts at finding food in trash.
✅ Schedule annual inspections – Even if you haven’t seen rats recently, regular checks ensure they don’t return.

🐀 Want a permanent solution? TSR Pest Control provides long-term exclusion and prevention services to keep rats out for good!

Solve Your Rat Problem TodayDealing with rats the right way requires expertise, strategy, and long-term prevention.

​📺 Want to see these mistakes in action? Watch our full video guide here:
https://youtu.be/Pyp5-PsX8xs

📞 Need professional rat control? Call TSR Pest Control today!
🚀 Take action now—don’t let rats take over your home!