Rat pest control

We know how to tackle rats where they hide. Learn more about our rat pest control services or schedule a free inspection today!

Need a rat exterminator?

Rats are nocturnal rodents that stay active at night, often giving themselves away through droppings, scratching sounds, or chewed items. Rodent control helps prevent a growing rodent infestation by removing active rats and sealing the entry points they use to gain access.

DIY attempts can be risky because rats can carry germs and are difficult to eradicate, as they hide in hard-to-reach areas and reproduce quickly, making store-bought traps easy to outsmart.
Rat pest control services are ideal for homeowners seeking a long-term solution to their rat infestations.
Terminix rat exterminators know how to find, remove, and help prevent rats.

Your rat treatment options

Rat control treatments can vary by property due to the uniqueness of each rodent infestation and the homeowner's specific needs. Before rat pest control services, your Terminix technician will first conduct a detailed inspection of the property, searching for signs of rats, such as droppings, damage, and potential entry points, and identify the species involved. Following the inspection, your technician will recommend a customized plan to get rid of rats by using one or a combination of these approaches:

Exclusion powered by Flexi Armour™

We use rodent-proofing products, such as Flexi Armour™, a durable sealing solution designed to block the cracks, gaps, and openings that rats use to enter your home. Rodent exclusion services are essential because even after rats are removed, any unsealed entry points leave the door open for new ones to enter.

Get started with rat control

Don't let rats rule your home. At Terminix, we offer tailored rat pest control solutions to help . If you're already dealing with a rat problem, our expert rodent control services can effectively eliminate them. Prefer to prevent infestations altogether? Our PestFree365+ plan offers comprehensive pest protection, covering rats and up to 38 other pests, providing you with peace of mind.

Rat control
- Free inspection identifies rodent intruders and their points of entry
- Customized treatment plan to get rid of rodents and recommendations to keep your home protected.
- Annual inspections ensure there is no new rodent activity for peace of mind
- If new rodent activity is found during our annual inspections, we will retreat to get them out and keep them out
- Be sure to ask your technician how to get $100 off rodent control
Schedule Free Inspection
PestFree365+ Plan
- Interior and exterior pest inspection
- Protection from 39 pests, including 14 pests that may be costly to eliminate
- Regularly scheduled pest treatments
- Terminix It Guarantee which means if pests come back between treatments, so will we — at no additional cost
  
  PLUS unlimited protection from out-of-pocket costs
See pricing

Our commitment to you, your family, and the environment

Pet and family safe

Applied with care for the people and pets you love

Eco-conscious solutions

Smart, targeted approaches designed with the environment in mind

Local experts

Local technicians who understand your area’s unique pest challenges

Signs of rats to look for

Droppings

Small, dark pellets near food storage, appliances, or along walls.

Gnaw marks

Chewed wood, plastic, wires, or the corners of food packaging.

Noises at night

Scratching, scurrying, or thumping inside walls or ceilings.

Grease marks

Dark, oily streaks on the corners of walls or jambs from repeated rat travel paths.

Smells

A musty, sour odor that may indicate nesting, or in severe cases, a dead rat.

Types of rats Terminix treats

Terminix rat exterminators handle both Norway rats and roof rats, the two species most likely to invade homes. Norway rats tend to burrow and stay low to the ground, while roof rats are climbers that sneak into attics, roofs, and upper levels. Your technician will identify the type of rat you’re dealing with and create a customized rat control plan that targets their habits, hiding spots, and entry points into your home.

The Terminix Difference

Here’s what our customers have to say...

Jeanette Kerzner-Green
Pooler, GA
I've had Terminix services for four years, both inside and out and bait stations. Their technicians are very thorough, they take the time to explain things to you and have NO problem if you have a pest issue, coming back and repeating a treatment at no cost. They are quick to respond as well. You don't wait days for a technician to arrive. I had a black widow spider nest on my back fence and called them. They were here the next day. Terminix IS the best!
2 months ago
Ed Saucerman
Albuquerque, NM
I called several pest control companies in the area and found that Terminix had the best value and responsiveness for services. I was extremely pleased with the service of Jacob and Jeremiah, who came out immediately the next day to start service at my residence. I strongly and highly recommend Terminix as your next pest control company.
3 weeks ago
Sharon Jones
San Jose, CA
My technician Devin is awesome. He informed me the day before he was coming, and what time he’ll arrived. I’ve been using this service for years now to take care of any bugs or insects. They sprayed & inspected the outside and since I’ve been using them, I got a full report after to let me know what was done & if there’s anything else that needs to be done. They never tried to upsell any additional services than what was needed, I don’t have spiders, ants or any insects inside my home. I strongly recommended them
1 month ago
Richard Dunker
Canton, OH
Observed carpenter ants in our finished basement. Went to the website and scheduled an appointment time. Tech called to tell us he was on his way. (Appreciate that tech's phone number was identified as Terminix.) Tech explained what he could, and could not do. In addition to treating for carpenter ants, house was also treated for a yellow jacket issue under our siding. Terminix will be my first call, should I need service again.
2 months ago

How rat control works

Initial inspection

We'll inspect your home to check for signs of rodents and risk factors that could make your home vulnerable.

Removal & treatment

Terminix professionals will develop a plan that may include a combination of rodenticides, tamper-resistant bait stations, or live traps to offer the best chance of success.

Prevention

Our technicians will assess your home for vulnerabilities and seal any entry points to help prevent rodents from entering.

Inspections

Your technician will contact you to schedule a follow-up inspection to check for new signs of rodent activity.

The risks of leaving rats in your home untreated

Rats are notorious for carrying various disease-causing pathogens, including Hantavirus and Leptospirosis. Beyond health concerns, rats can cause considerable damage to your home by gnawing on wires, burrowing into insulation, and contaminating food supplies. Reproducing rapidly, a single pair of rats can multiply into a full infestation in just a few months, meaning that seeing one rat often indicates there may be more lurking nearby.

DIY fixes often fall short because they only cover what you can see. Store traps rarely address hidden nests, and bait placed incorrectly can be unsafe for pets and kids. Without professional help, new rats can slip in just as fast as you’re removing the old ones. Terminix rat pest control services provide a long-term solution, so you can feel confident that the problem is handled.

Frequently asked rat pest control questions

How much does rat control cost?

Terminix rodent control costs can vary due to several factors, including the severity of the infestation, the size of the property, and the specific methods required to eliminate the rats. Ongoing maintenance services to prevent future infestations can also affect the overall pricing. Get a quote and learn more about our rodent control services to start protecting your home from rats today.

How can I prevent rats from coming back?

To keep rats from returning to your home, it's essential to eliminate food sources, declutter, and seal up entry points. Our rat exterminators use exclusion materials, like Flexi Armour, to seal up any gaps and cracks, to help lock rodents out of your home for good. Plus, with our Terminix It Guarantee, you can rest easy knowing that your rodent and wildlife issues will be resolved and kept at bay for the duration of your exclusion plan, with complimentary return visits if the problem persists, at no extra cost to you.

How should I prepare for my rat treatment visit from Terminix?

To prepare for a rat removal visit, your technician will need access to various areas of the home during the service, including attics, basements, crawlspaces, utility rooms, storage areas, and any other areas identified during the inspection. Follow any instructions or guidance provided by the technician prior to service. Make note of any new findings and give this information to your rat exterminator upon arrival.

What is the best way to get rid of rats?

DIY rat removal methods may be tempting due to their immediate availability and perceived cost-effectiveness, but they often fall short because they don't address the root causes. At Terminix, our technicians understand the habits and behaviors of rats and create customized plans tailored to your home, ensuring effective control and long-term protection. Our rat exterminators use a comprehensive approach to rat control, targeting the current population and addressing potential future infestations.

How long does it take to get rid of rats?

Getting rid of rats can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how many rats are in the home and how they’re getting inside. Rats are intelligent and cautious animals, so trapping them often requires time as they learn the space and become accustomed to the new equipment. Treating the problem also involves sealing entry points, which can be more challenging if rats have multiple hidden access points.

Learn more
about rats

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Tips for safe and proper dead rat removal

Rat removal tips for your home

How to keep rats away

Getting ready for your rodent control appointment

How Terminix helps prevent and get rid of rodents

¹Service frequency will vary based on geography. Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Automatic payment sign up is required for PestFree365+. Voles and fire ants are only covered if they are in the home, we will not treat the lawn. Homes must be free of bed bugs at the initial service to qualify for coverage of bed bugs under the PestFree365+ Plan. Applies to single family, free-standing, owner-occupied homes only. Account must be in good standing. Other limitations may apply. See Plan for details.

²Coverage includes: "House" Ants, Bird Mites, Indoor Ticks, Cockroaches, Carpet Beetles, Fabric Moths, Overwintering Insects, Ground Beetles, Centipedes, Crickets, Earwigs, Firebrats, Millipedes, Clover Mites, Pillbugs/Sowbugs, Psocids, Scorpions, Silverfish, Paper Wasps, Springtails, Spiders, Stored Product Beetles, Stored Product Moths, Mice, and Rats.

³Coverage includes: Black Widow Spiders, Brown Recluse Spiders, Voles (interior only), Bed Bugs, Fleas (interior only), Bumble Bees, Carpenter Bees, Solitary Ground Bees, Yellowjackets, Hornets, Baldfaced Hornets, Crazy Ants, Carpenter Ants, and Fire Ants.

⁴Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.

⁵If infestation of bees, fleas, indoor ticks, cockroaches, brown recluse spiders, carpet beetles, fabric moths, stored product pests, mice, or rats present at time of initial inspection, a curative upcharge will apply.

⁶Treatment terms defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.

Rat pest control

Save $100 on rodent control with a free inspection.

Save $100 when you protect your home from rats.

Need a rat exterminator?