Have you noticed nests, droppings, or gnaw damage in your garage?
If so, you could have a rat problem.
Here at The Pest Dude, we’ve been helping people learn to do their own pest control for more than 20 years.
We’ve compiled our top rat control tips into this comprehensive blog to help you identify signs of rat damage in your garage and resolve the infestation as quickly as possible.
Key Takeaways
- To get rid of rats in the garage, seal the doors, declutter and remove nesting materials, use traps to control populations, and call a pest control professional.
- The most common way that rats get into garages is through gaps around garage doors.
- For more help getting rid of rats in the garage, contact The Pest Dude at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll connect you with a pest professional in your area.
Before You Get Started
1. Gather Your Tools
Here’s what we recommend grabbing:
- Flashlight
- Measuring tape
- Weatherstripping or garage door seal kit
- Plastic storage bins with tight-fitting lids
- Traps
- Bait
- Gloves
- Cleaning supplies like disinfectants and trash bags
2. Prioritize Your Safety
Follow these tips to stay safe during your rat control efforts:
- Wear gloves and a mask to protect yourself from pesticide contact and minimize the risk of inhaling particulates from droppings or nests.
- Never touch nests, droppings, or contaminated surfaces with your bare hands.
- Keep the garage well-ventilated during cleanup to minimize exposure to airborne contaminants.
- Seal all waste (droppings, nests, and other contaminated materials) in heavy-duty trash bags and dispose of them in an outdoor trash can.
How to Keep Rats out of Your Garage
1. Seal Gaps and Cracks Around the Garage Door
Rats are sneaky and can easily enter your garage through openings in the weatherstripping around your garage doors.
Many garage doors have openings at the corners of the garage door where the seal has separated from the floor or the wall, and it’s essential to seal all of these if you really want to get rid of rats.
Even holes the size of your thumb are big enough for them to squeeze through!
Pro Tip:
- Take a close look at your garage door, especially along the edges.
- If you spot any cracks or gaps, replace the weatherstripping or install a door sweep.
2. Declutter and Remove Nesting Materials
A messy garage is a paradise for rats.
Cardboard boxes make great nests, and stored food like pet kibble is an easy meal.
Pro Tips:
- Use durable plastic bins with tight lids to store items instead of cardboard boxes.
- Remove any food sources like crumbs or open pet food bags.
3. Use Traps to Control Rat Populations
Even with a clean garage, it’s wise to set traps as a precaution.
Rats like to travel along the safety of walls and large items, so we recommend placing traps along these rat highways, near the garage door, and in dark corners.
Pro Tips:
- To bait your traps, use food lures that match what rats are naturally drawn to. Peanut butter is a classic choice, but for more effective options and advice, check out this guide to the best rat traps and these baiting tips.
- Before setting your traps, consider pre-baiting them: using baits without setting the snap mechanism to allow rodents to get used to their presence.
- Check traps daily and dispose of dead rodents in double-sealed plastic bags in outdoor trash receptacles.
- Keep some traps around the edges of your garage walls as a preventative measure. Keep them baited with non-toxic food lures to monitor rat activity.
4. Call a Pest Control Professional
DIY methods don’t always work, especially with large infestations.
If you see structural damage, chewed wires, or health risks, it’s time to call the experts.
Pro Tips:
- Look for pest control companies that focus on eco-friendly and humane solutions to keep your family and pets safe.
Methods That Don’t Work
Whatever you do, don’t waste your time or money on these unproven methods:
Ultrasonic Repellents
Devices that claim to use high-frequency sounds to scare away rats are popular but don’t work well.
Rats quickly get used to the noise and will go about their business without concern for the device.
Pest-Repellent Plants
Some people say plants like mint or lavender will keep rats away, but there’s little proof that they work.
Used Cat Litter
Some people think sprinkling used cat litter around will scare rats because it smells like a predator. Unfortunately, it just creates a mess and doesn’t do much to scare rats away.
Essential Oils
Strong-smelling oils like peppermint or eucalyptus are often recommended as rat deterrents, but their effects are only temporary if they work at all.
Rats may avoid these smells initially, but the oils evaporate quickly and require constant reapplication to be even remotely effective.
Let us Help You Find a Pest Pro in Your Area!
Getting rid of rats requires thinking like a rat, understanding what works, and avoiding unproven methods.
Fortunately, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At The Pest Dude, we work with a nationwide network of skilled, reliable pest control professionals.
Call us at (844) 532-0076, and we’ll connect you with an expert in your area who can help you identify and eliminate rats and reclaim your garage.
Get a Free Quote
Give us a call today to receive your free, no-obligation pest control quote.
FAQ
Rats in your garage can cause serious damage and health risks.
One major issue can occur when these critters get into your car engine.
When this happens, they can chew through wires, leading to expensive repairs and safety issues.
To learn how to keep rats out of your car, check out this guide: how to get rid of rats in your car engine.
Signs of rats in your garage include but aren’t limited to the following:
- Droppings
- Gnawed items
- Grease marks along walls
- Scratching or squeaking noises (especially at night)
- An unpleasant, musky smell that’s similar to a locker room or old socks
Rats are usually drawn to garages because they offer easy access, shelter, and food.
Things like pet food and trash are a feast for rats, while cluttered shelves give them nice, cozy places to nest.
To keep them out, keep your garage clean, seal all food, and block any entry points.
