How to Get Rid of Desert Rats

Desert rats are known by many names. The most popular names are pack rat and wood rat. These foraging rodents get their name from their survival habits. They like to store food supplies and they like to live inside the walls of homes or under extensions of homes, like porches and decks. There are several humane ways to get rid of these rodents.

Things You'll Need

• Live traps
• Bait

Instructions

1. Find the places around your home or yard where desert rats tend to travel. Rats rarely travel off their beaten paths.

2. Set up the traps. Live traps are rectangular traps that come in different sizes. They are essentially cages with trap doors. They can be purchased at any livestock or pest control stores. You open the trap door, and set the tripping mechanism. Each trap is a bit different, so refer to your user manual.

3. Insert the bait. Cheese, chocolates, and fresh fruit are great options for bait, but will need to be replaced as rats are caught, food is eaten, or food rots.

4. Check the traps daily and release all rats back into their natural habitat.

Tips & Warnings

• If the rats keep coming back, a chemical approach like rat poison may be necessary.

• Wear gloves when handling all wild animals in order to avoid transmitting diseases or being bitten.

References

• Desert Wild Packrat Facts