City of Columbus

Rat Control Basics

Get Rid of Places Rats Live

Cover Openings 

• Cover openings ½ inch or larger with concrete, sheet metal or hardware cloth.   
• Screen basement windows and other windows that are within three feet of the ground with hardware cloth.
• Cover basement drains with hardware cloth or a drain cover.
• Patch holes around wires and pipes with sheet metal or concrete patching.

Seal and Snug

• Doors should fit snugly, not more than 3/8 inch from the door frame.
• Basement windows should fit tightly and have no broken panes.
• Seal up enclosed spots such as between walls, crawl spaces, under porches, and around boxed-in plumbing.

Clean Up Your Yard 

• Have junk, like old cars and appliances, hauled away. Call 311 about collecting bulk items.
• Stack building materials, lumber and fire wood at least 18 inches off the ground.
• Remove leaves, branches and other yard waste.
• Keep grass and weeds cut low (under 12 inches).

Get Rid of Food Sources

Sources in the Yard

• Clean up pet feces every day.
• Don’t leave dog/cat food or water outside.
• Clean up bird food on ground.
• Pick up fallen tree fruit or garden vegetables.
• Clean up garbage on the ground.

Garbage Issues

• Bag your trash.
• Keep lids closed on garbage containers.
• Put garbage out the night before or early morning.
• Report damaged city trash cans or dumpsters to 311.
• Empty and rinse recyclables and keep lid closed.

Composting Issues

• Rodent proof your bin.
• Pick bin type that prevents rats getting inside.
• Locate far away from house.
• Bury food deep in the pile.
• Don’t compost meats, dairy or greasy foods. 
• More on composting to prevent rodents