| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Catchmaster Baited Rat, Mouse and Snake Glue Traps – 12 Glue Trays |
| Best Snap Trap | Victor 12 Easy Set Rat Snap Trap |
| Best Galvanized Steel | Kensizer Humane Rat Trap |
| Best Humane | Kat Sense Pest Control Traps, Set of 6 Large |
| Best Electronic Trap | Victor M241 Indoor Electronic Humane Rat and Mouse Trap – No Touch, No See Electric Rat and Mouse Trap – 4 Traps |
Rats are one of the most common pests that households have to deal with. They can be very destructive and sometimes carry serious diseases. Once you see signs of rats in your home, it is best that you take steps to get rid of them fast since they reproduce and spread very quickly.
It is possible to get rid of rats in your home permanently. There are steps and some tools to help you do so. In this review, we determined five steps you can take to be free from rats. Then we selected five products to help you do so — quickly and efficiently.
5 Steps to Getting Rid of Rats Permanently
Ready to rid your home of these pesky pests? Rats are one category of pests that have to be dealt with decisively to get results. Here are five steps that you can take to keep them out of your house permanently.
- Inspect Your Home: You need to know where the rats are coming from and what passages they use. So, the first step is to inspect your home and surroundings thoroughly. Some obvious entry points include gaps in your foundation, damaged drains, door cracks, and vents.
- Seal the Gaps: Make use of items like metal gauze, cement, and other sealants to clog up entry points. You’ll need to keep checking these to ensure they have not been compromised again. If you can get your two fingers through it, make sure you seal it.
- Eliminate the Rats You Have: We’ll share some great tools you can use to permanently eliminate rats below. Snap traps, glue traps, and electric traps can be very effective and are used by experts to get rid of rats.
- Clean Up: Get rid of open food and scraps that could attract rats. If possible, get to and clean out any rat nests that have been left behind. Dustbins should also be better handled and removed on time to avoid rats coming for them.
- Use Deterrents: Natural deterrents like peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil work because rats hate the smell. So, get sprays or balls permeated with these essential oils and put them around your home to deter rats from entering. You can also use crushed chili or black pepper as a deterrent.
A-Z-Animals’ Top 5 Tools for Getting Rid of Rats Permanently
Now that you know how to keep the rats away, it’s time to learn how to deal with the ones you currently have. Here are five trusted tools that professionals use to get rid of rats.
1. Best Overall: Catchmaster Rat Glue Trap
The Catchmaster Rat Glue Trap is our best overall tool to get rid of rats permanently. This package comes with 12 glue traps ready for use, and reviewers say they are effective. Twelve traps also mean that you can place them in multiple places to get rid of the rats faster.
This trap is safe to use in a home with children and pets. It does not contain any harmful chemicals. Reviewers also love that these traps are ready to use and do not need additional bait. They’re made in the USA.
Another thing you’ll appreciate about the Catchmaster Glue Trap is that you can fold it into a tunnel. This could come in handy for tight passageways that rats use. With this trap, you’ll have to kill the rat yourself, as all it does is trap the rat in place.
Pros and Cons of the Catchmaster Rat Glue Trap
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These glue traps are sold in packs of 12. | You will have to kill the rat yourself. |
| They’re safe to use in homes with children and pets. | |
| You can place multiple traps to catch rats faster. | |
| They’re ready to use, so you don’t have to add bait. | |
| You can fold it into a tunnel to squeeze the trap into a tight passageway. | |
| They’re made in the U.S. |
- Easy to set
- Safe for children and pets when used according to directions
- Available in multipacks
- Can be folded into a funnel shape to accommodate tight areas
- No bait required
2. Best for Affordability: Victor 12 Easy Set Rat Snap Trap
For clean and quick trapping of rats, the Victor Easy Set Rat Snap Trap leads the way. This snap trap is also easily affordable and is still trustworthy when it comes to capturing rats. The Easy Set Rat Snap Trap has a large plastic snap that triggers when the rat when they decide to investigate whatever you use to bait the trap.
You should place all 12 of the Victor Easy Set Rat Snap Traps along walls and other pathways that rats travel. The vendor provides detailed instructions on how to determine whether you have placed the traps in a high-traffic area. You can bait the trap with anything (rats love peanut butter), and the traps’ larger bait pedal makes them easier to set.
These traps have two settings, one of which will prevent the trap from snapping due to environmental causes, such as heavy equipment being utilized in the area.
Pros and Cons of the Victor 12 Easy Set Rat Snap Trap
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These traps are sold in packages of 12. | You must bait the traps prior to use. |
| They’re affordable. | |
| These traps have a large plastic pedal that kills the rat. | |
| You can place all 12 along rat pathways to eliminate them more quickly. | |
| These traps have two settings, one of which will prevent the trap from snapping due to environmental causes, such as heavy equipment being utilized in the area. | |
- Can be used in residential, commercial, or industrial buildings
- Place along walls, near baseboards, and along other pathways frequented by rats
- Pet-safe, but should be placed where children and pets cannot tamper with them
- Constructed from wood, wire, and plastic
- Can be baited with anything, but peanut butter is an effective bait due to its stickiness and "rat appeal"
3. Best Humane: Kensizer Humane Rat Trap
If you want rats gone but don’t want to kill them, the Kensizer Humane Rat Trap brings you an effective solution. This durable and sturdy steel trap will catch the rat and restrain it. You can then release it far away from your home to avoid a return.
This trap is made of a wire mesh that the rat can’t escape. It contains a sensitive trigger that will auto-close once touched. This helps to keep the rats trapped until you choose to release them. This humane trap also comes in two sizes that you can choose depending on the rat size.
The Kensizer Rat Trap is aesthetically pleasing and comes with an escape-proof door design. Reviewers also like that the trap handle is some distance from the rest of the trap’s body. This makes it easier to pick up and dispose of the rats safely.
Pros and Cons of the Kensizer Humane Rat Trap
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This sturdy, durable steel trap allows you to catch rats and release them without harm. | You have to take the rat somewhere to release it. |
| It’s made of wire mesh that rats can’t chew through. | |
| Its sensitive trigger automatically closes when a rat touches it. | |
| It’s available in two sizes. | |
| It’s aesthetically pleasing. | |
| This trap has an escape-proof door. | |
| The trap’s handle is set apart from the rest of the trap so you can pick the trap up and release the rat without being bitten. |
- Very durable option
- Made with lightweight galvanized steel
- Features a highly sensitive trigger mechanism
- The design is patented
4. Best Snap Trap: Kat Sense Rat Snap Traps
Get rid of rats from your home with reusable Kat Sense Rat Snap Traps. These traps, which are sold in sets of six, feature an integrated bait cap and are made of extra-sturdy, durable plastic. This is one trap that reviewers say can last for years. With the Kat Sense Snap Trap, you no longer have to worry about rats stealing bait and getting away. This trap will come down with a heavy force, ensuring a mess-free kill every time. This trap doesn’t let the rat suffer since it kills rats instantly.
Reviewers appreciate that this snap trap is made of washable material for easy cleaning. You also do not have to touch the rats to dispose of them. All you have to do is press to open the trap above your garbage bin to dispose of the rat.
Some reviewers said that the trap doesn’t always kill rats instantly. Others reported that their traps didn’t stay open.
Pros and Cons of the Kat Sense Rat Snap Traps
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| These reusable rat traps are sold in sets of six. | Some reviewers said that the trap doesn’t always kill rats instantly. |
| They feature an integrated bait cap and are made of durable, extra-sturdy plastic. | Some reviewers reported that their traps didn’t stay open. |
| The trap kills rats instantly. | |
| It’s washable for easy cleaning. | |
| Simply press to open the trap above a garbage bin to dispose of the rat. |
- These reusable rat snap traps are constructed from durable plastic
- The snap is extremely efficient and kills the rat quickly through heavy force
- The trap is washable for easy cleaning
- To dispose of the rats, simply open the trap above your garbage bin
5. Best Electric Trap: Victor Electronic Rat Trap
The Victor brand shows up on our list again, this time with the Victor Electronic Rat Trap. This electric rat trap, which comes in packs of two, instantly kills rats that enter its chamber by delivering a high-voltage shock. And then a blinking light confirms that the trap has killed a rat.
To use the Victor Electronic Trap, you’ll need four AA batteries. It also comes with a bait cup where you can add peanut butter or other bait to lure the rats. Then, simply place this trap along walls and other passageways to capture the rats.
Many people consider the Victor Electric trap a humane way of dealing with rats. This is because the rat is killed instantly instead of being left to thrash around and suffer. You’ll also appreciate that you can easily dispose of the dead rat in this trap without touching it. All you have to do is open the trap cover and dispose of it in a garbage bin.
Pros and Cons of the Victor Electronic Rat Trap
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This electric rat trap is sold in packs of two. | You must add bait to the bait cup. |
| It instantly kills rats with a high-voltage shock and a blinking light confirms that the trap killed a pest. | |
| They require four AA batteries. | |
| You can dispose of the dead rat by opening the trap cover and disposing of it in a garbage can. |
- These electronic traps kill rats that enter its chamber instantly
- The trap delivers a high-voltage shock
- A blinking light tells you that a rat has been killed
- The traps require 4 AA batteries (not included)
- You can bait the trap -- peanut butter is a rat favorite
- Set of four provides maximum coverage
How to Choose the Right Tools to Get Rid of Rats Permanently
Planning to buy some of the items on our list? Many people have a difficult time deciding which are best for them. As you try to choose, you must consider some important factors. Here are some of them:
- Area of infestation
- Method of killing
- Price
Let’s look at these factors in more detail.
Area of Infestation
Are you trying to eliminate rats inside your home or in your yard? Some of the tools here work only indoors, while others are great for both indoor and outdoor infestations. Which to buy will depend on the area where you are trying to get rid of the rats.
Method of Killing
Do you want a tool that kills the rats instantly, or would you prefer a more humane treatment? There are many different kinds of traps, with some killing instantly while others secure the rat for you to take out. Yet another group just keep the rat safe until you can release it far away from your home.
Price
How much are you ready to spend on a tool to permanently eliminate rats? Some of the options in this review are pretty pricey, but they are worth every penny. We also included an affordable but still very effective alternative.
Why Rats Enter Homes
Rats come into our home for three main reasons: food, shelter, and water. As long as a rat can get any of the three at your place, they will continue to show up. Soon you could end up having an infestation on your hand.
This is why one of the important steps to ridding yourself of rats is to take better care of scraps. You should also put food away in stronger containers that the rats cannot reach. Repairing issues like leaking pipes and faucets is also a good idea.
Natural Ways to Eliminate Rats
There are many natural ways to get rid of rats in your home. Some of them include the use of sprays containing things like peppermint oil and eucalyptus oils. Some people have also been known to use lemon oil and crushed black pepper. Rats hate the smell of these substances and so they will stay away.
When to Call a Professional
Most people first try to handle an infestation before calling in exterminators. The things we’ve listed above will be very handy when doing so. In fact, many professional exterminators use one or two of those methods, too. However, if you feel your infestation is getting out of hand, it might be time to call in an expert.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Catchmaster Baited Rat, Mouse and Snake Glue Traps – 12 Glue Trays |
| Best Snap Trap | Victor 12 Easy Set Rat Snap Trap |
| Best Galvanized Steel | Kensizer Humane Rat Trap |
| Best Humane | Kat Sense Pest Control Traps, Set of 6 Large |
| Best Electronic Trap | Victor M241 Indoor Electronic Humane Rat and Mouse Trap – No Touch, No See Electric Rat and Mouse Trap – 4 Traps |
5 Steps and Tools To Getting Rid of Rats Permanently FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do you get rid of rats permanently fast?
One of the ways to get rid of rats permanently fast is to make use of traps like the ones we’ve listed. They’ll help you remove the rats leaving your home free from infestation. You can then take the steps we listed above to keep the rats out permanently.
Is it possible to get rid of rats permanently?
Yes, you can get rid of the rats in your home permanently. The best options include a mix of natural and non-natural methods. This review lists some trusted and efficient ways to get rid of these pesky pests.
How do professionals get rid of rats?
Many professionals use one or two of the methods we’ve listed here to get rid of rats. The best one to use depends on some factors, which we’ve also shared in this review. Many of our testers who used these methods found them effective.
How do you get rid of rats in your house fast?
Snap traps and electric traps are some of the fastest ways to get rid of the rats in your house. These removal methods kill the rats instantly and can be reused until there are no more rats around.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
