How To Get Rid Of Rats In Garage: Keep Rats Out Of Your Garage
This post contains affiliate links.
This post contains affiliate links.
Garages are working and, to a lesser extent, social spaces for human beings. However, for pests and vermin like rats, garages can be an attractive place to live and build nests. Rat problems can be a headache for garage owners. How to get rid of rats in garage?
To remove rats from your garage:
- Seal entry points
- Clean up your garage
- Set up traps
- Lay bait stations
- Search for rat nest
- Get professional help
In this post, discover how you can get rid of rats from your garage. We also explore why rats love to nest in your garage and how to tell if you have a rat problem in your garage.
How To Get Rid Of Rats In Garage
| Action | Details |
| Seal Entry Points | Inspect for cracks or holes near the garage door, windows, and utility lines.Use steel wool and caulk for small openings, and metal flashing for larger gaps. |
| Clean Up Your Garage | Keep the area tidy, free of clutter.Store pet food and birdseed in sealed containers.Ensure garbage cans are secure.Clean pet feeding areasavoid leaving food in the garage. |
| Set Up Traps | Use rat traps along walls, baited with peanut butter.Ensure correct placement and baiting for effectiveness. |
| Bait Stations | Use rodent bait stations outside the garage near entry points.Handle rat poison with care, especially around pets or children. |
| Get Professional Rodent Control | If DIY methods fail. |
Why Do Garages Attract Rats And Mice?
Garages may be considered a less comfortable space for us humans. Still, they can be ideal places for rats, creating the perfect storm for a rodent infestation.
Understanding why rats love your garage can be the first step in crafting an effective way to eliminate them.
Hiding Spots & Nesting Places
Rats and mice are attracted to the abundance of hiding spots and nesting materials available in a typical garage. The clutter and stored items provide numerous ideal places for rats to nest and hide.
Rats and rodents can build nests from many places in the garage, as these spaces offer the safety and seclusion rats need:
- Behind appliances like a washing machine
- on top of the ceiling to
- within the garage walls.
Food & Water Resources
Food and water sources are another big draw. While working in the garage, we may accidentally leave food or drinks on the countertop or the bench.
You may also use the garage to feed your pet their food, meaning there may be uneaten pet food in the garage.
This food, left in open containers or spills, attracts rats since they are always looking for their next meal. Leaky pipes or water collected in items stored in the garage provide the water rats need to survive.
Easy Access
Entry points are often plentiful in garages. Rats can make their way through holes as small as a quarter. Mice? they can fit through spaces as small as a dime.
Gaps under the garage door or around windows allow these pests to easily enter your garage.
These gaps can form when the weatherstripping, flooring, or piping deteriorates. Regular maintenance is important to ensure these gaps do not form.
Temperature and Climate Control
If you have climate control in your garage, rats and rodents will love it. This means your garage stays warm in colder months and warm in hotter days, giving the rats a comfortable place to nest and live.
Insulated garages can also become nice places for rats. Aside from the temperature, rats and rodents can also use some insulation material as materials to build their nests.
Signs Of Rats In Your Garage
Rat Droppings: If you notice rat droppings, it’s a clear indicator that rats have made your garage their new home. These droppings are usually small, dark, and pellet-shaped, found near food sources or nesting areas.
Rat Nests: Another sign is the presence of nests. Rats create nests from shredded materials like paper, fabric, or insulation.
You might find these hidden in corners or behind stored items. This signifies an infestation and the potential for rats to breed, leading to a bigger problem.
Strange Noises: Hearing strange noises, especially at night, can also hint at a rat’s presence. Rats are nocturnal, so the sounds of scratching, gnawing, or scurrying in the walls or ceiling are common.
This constant need to gnaw can also lead to visible marks along walls or on stored items, another sign to watch out for.
Gnaw marks: If you see these on wires or structural elements of the garage, they not only indicate an infestation but also pose a fire risk. Rats must chew on various materials to keep their constantly growing teeth at bay, leading to significant damage over time.
Musky Odor: A musky odor can signal a serious infestation. This smell comes from rat urine and is most noticeable in closed spaces like garages. If you encounter this odor, coupled with the other signs mentioned, it’s crucial to take action.
Dead Rats: Finally, dead rats are the most clear sign that you rats have infested your house. If you found one in or around your garage, it’s time to start finding where they are and deal with the problem.
Spotting the signs of a rat infestation in your garage can be unsettling. It is important to quickly manage the issue, as exposure to rats can cause health issues, such as leptospirosis.
Ways To Get Rid Of Rats In Garage?
Getting rid of rats and rodents from your garage can feel like a daunting task. Yet, with the right approach, you can reclaim your space.
Seal Entry Points
Rats can fit and slither through holes as small as a quarter coin. Mice can squeeze through gaps as tiny as a dime. Inspect your garage thoroughly for any cracks or holes, especially near the following:
- garage door,
- windows, and
- any utility lines entering the garage.
Use steel wool and caulk to seal smaller openings, and consider metal flashing for larger gaps.
Clean Up Your Garage
Cleanliness is your best defense. Rats find garages a great place because they offer shelter and food sources. Consider implementing these steps:
- Keep your garage tidy and free of clutter where rats can hide.
- Store pet food in sealed containers
- Make sure your garbage cans are rat-proof with tight-fitting lids.
- Regularly clean your pet’s feeding bowl and
- Avoid eating and leaving food in your garage. Food droppings and spills will attract rodents.
Set Up Traps
Rat traps can be very effective if used correctly. Place them along the walls where rats tend to travel. Bait them with peanut butter, which is irresistible to rats. Remember, the placement and baiting of these traps are key to their success.
If you have no idea how to build and lay rodent snap traps, there are many guides and videos online on how to do this. Check these out for ideas. You can also pick up rodent traps (paid link) too.
Bait Stations
Consider rodent bait stations for a more professional approach. These stations contain rodent poison (paid link), which should be handled carefully. Ensure they are out of your pets and children’s reach.
Place the bait stations outside of your garage, near potential entry points. This method helps to control the rodent population outside before they can get inside your garage.
Get Professional Rodent Control
Sometimes, the situation calls for professional help, especially if the rodent problem is larger than you thought. If your DIY efforts are unsuccessful, it might be time to call in a pest or rodent control professional.
Pest control can provide a comprehensive assessment and tailor a pest control plan suited to the needs of the homeowner. Pest control services often use a combination of methods and have access to more potent treatments not available to the general public.
By combining these strategies, you can see a noticeable reduction in pest activity. Remember, consistency is key.
Regularly inspecting your garage for signs of rats and maintaining a clean environment will help keep your garage rat-free.
Keep Rats Or Other Rodents Away From Your Garage
Eliminating rats from your garage involves a multi-faceted approach. Sealing entry points, maintaining cleanliness, and using bait stations form the core of an effective defense.
For persistent or severe infestations, enlisting professional rodent control services is advisable.
With diligence and the right strategies, you can reclaim your garage from these unwelcome invaders and prevent future infestations, ensuring a safer and cleaner space for your home.
Check out comprehensive guides on how to get rid of other garage pests here!
