How do exterminators get rid of rats in walls?

Author: Dr. Cornell Reilly I  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Fumigation involves using aerosol chemicals in walls, rooms, attics, and crawl spaces to reach different nesting locations. If you need rat extermination services, know that the time periods and costs associated with these services vary. Factors affecting time and costs depend on location and materials used.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a rat in the wall?

Set Up Traps

Setting up traps is another popular method to eliminate rodents because it's quick, easy, and affordable. Traps come in different kinds like snap traps, glue boards, and electronic traps.

How does pest control get rid of rats in walls?

Traps and poison are sometimes essential for the initial pest control of existing rodents in your property, but they should be the last rodents to have access into your property – exclusion is the game! Find the entry point and seal it.

What to do if you hear rats in the walls?

Calling an Exterminator

In many cases, homeowners benefit the most when hiring a professional to get rid of rats in walls. Rats cause damage to your home and create hazardous environments for your family and pets.

How long does it take to get rid of rats in walls?

It generally takes roughly 3 days to one week to get rid of rats with rat poison. Mechanical traps can sometimes take a few days to trap rats because the rodents may be wary of the trap. A pest control professional can remove rats in as little as one day to a few days depending on the size of the infestation.

Rodents in your walls? Here's what you do.

What happens if rats live in your walls?

Rats that live in walls will continue to gnaw and chew in order to survive. Those are the noises you hear at night. You have to be very careful if you have pex water piping or plastic drain lines. The damages sewer rats can cause could cost you thousands of dollars in secondary damages.

What do rats hate most?

Here is a list of what rats hate the most.
  • Ammonia. Ammonia has a potent odor and will deter rats from your area. ...
  • Mothballs. Mothballs are a common repellant used for household pests like rats and mice. ...
  • Domesticated Pets. ...
  • Peppermint. ...
  • Lack of Nutrition and Comfort.

Where do rats hide during the day in a house?

Inside, rats can be found hiding out in holes, cracks, and crevices; climbing up through drains in bathrooms and kitchens; behind cabinets; behind and under appliances; in air ducts and ventilation systems; in piles of clutter; in storage containers; in hollow walls; and in crawlspaces, attics, garages, and basements.

What noise do rats hate?

Stomp your feet: stomping is certainly less effective if you are in a carpeted area of your home or outside on your lawn, however, in the right circumstances, a loud stomp coupled with the vibrations through the floor can be an effective rodent deterrent.

Does seeing one rat mean an infestation?

Even a single rat is enough to make most people shudder, but the truth is that if you have rats, you are unlikely to only have one. Rats are clever creatures that can squeeze into the tiniest of gaps, and once they have made themselves at home, they will breed.

What scent will keep rats away?

Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall.

Will banging scare rats away?

Rats and rodents in general are very sensitive to sound, since it's one of their main tools for survival. Any new or unexpected noise will frighten them and send them scurrying. However, once rodents get used to a sound, they will no longer fear it.

What is a rats worst enemy?

Outdoors, rats face a variety of predators. In these environments, large birds of prey — including hawks, falcons and owls — feed regularly on rodents. Owls are particularly formidable predators, as their nocturnal behavior ensures that they are most active when rats go out in search of food.

What is the number one way to get rid of rats?

Getting Rid of Rats

The two best ways to remove rats are traps or poison. The use of either requires caution! Traps. Choose wooden base snap traps, and enlarge the traps by fastening a 2-inch square of cardboard to each trigger.

Why do I hear scratching in walls but no droppings at night?

If you hear scratching in your walls at night, it could be mice, rats, squirrels, raccoons, bats, termites, carpenter ants, or roach colonies. By far, the most common nighttime wall-scratchers are mice, and they're most likely the pests who are disturbing your sleep. What Are Mice Doing When You Hear Scratching?

What does vinegar do to rats?

Rodents do not like the sharp scent of vinegar, so it's believed that it can be an effective rodent repellent. Common advice is to soak cotton balls with vinegar and place them near areas where you think rodents are entering your home and to use vinegar as a cleaning solution.

What are rats afraid of?

Rats also fear predators such as hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Other animals that rats are afraid of include your cat as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents. Rats fear becoming a meal for a snake.

What is the best rat repellent?

These are the top natural rat repellants.
  • Essential Oils. Some of the best oils to repel rats include peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender. ...
  • Garlic and Onion. Unlike most humans, rats detest the smell of onions and garlic. ...
  • 5. Rat-Repelling Plants. ...
  • Predator Urine.

How do I get rats out of my walls?

To get rats out of cavity walls, a full inspection of the wall cavity needs to be conducted. Seal all entry holes present and make sure you apply concrete at the baseboards of the wall to prevent rats from burrowing into the home. You can also set traps in the cavity to decrease the rodent population.

Will sleeping with lights on keep rats away?

Rats are nocturnal animals that prefer to move around under the cover of night; however, sleeping with lights on will not keep rats away. While it makes logical sense that rats would not like being in the light, it is not enough to discourage them from moving around your home at night.

Will a dead rat deter other rats?

If you can face it, smear the dead rat around the inside of the trap box, or leave the dead animal nearby. Rats are attracted by other dead rats.

What smell kills rats instantly?

The smell of ammonia is very pungent that it instantly kills rats. 4. Black pepper can also produce a very sharp smell which is harmful to mice and rats. This is a basic condiment because it spices up the food.

What is a rats biggest enemy?

Famously, birds of prey feed on mice and rats. Raptors, including hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons, are common rat predators.

What kills rats instantly?

What kills rats instantly? Snap type traps are among the most effective and quickest means to kill rats if placed properly and when a large number of traps are used.

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