PEST PREVENTION FIELD GUIDE

Rats near the home: exclusion, sanitation, and safe cleanup

Rats can enter through structural openings and use food waste, water, and sheltered areas to survive. Droppings and gnawing are important warning signs, but a professional assessment can establish the actual extent.

Clues to look for

Watch for sizable droppings, gnaw marks, burrow openings, greasy rub marks along travel routes, damaged food, and noises in walls or ceilings.

Practical first steps

1. Store pet food and dry foods in durable closed containers, secure bins, and avoid leaving food outdoors.
2. Check for gaps around foundations, doors, vents, and service penetrations; arrange appropriate rodent-proof repairs.
3. Keep away from nests and droppings. Use local public-health guidance for safe cleanup, including appropriate disinfection and protection.

What to avoid

Never sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings. Avoid handling live or dead rats barehanded and do not leave loose rodenticides where pets, children, or wildlife may reach them.

When to contact a professional

Arrange a qualified pest inspection for suspected rat activity, repeated signs, or contaminated spaces. Contact local public health for exposure concerns; seek medical advice promptly after bites.

Public-health and pesticide safety resources

Consult Health Canada's pest-control tips and your local public-health authority. If using a pesticide in Canada, confirm that it is registered with a Pest Control Products (PCP) registration number for the intended pest and location, and follow its full label directions.

This guide provides general educational information, not a definitive identification or inspection. Updated October 11, 2026.