Rats are among the most destructive pests in Baltimore, responsible for over $27 billion annually in urban areas across the country.
Baltimore ranks in the top ten of rattiest American cities, forcing the city to deploy contraceptives and free exclusion services (call 311) to help combat the spread.
All it takes is an opening the size of a quarter for Norway rats to squeeze through and wreak havoc on your home. Once inside, they will chew through insulation, wiring, and contaminated food ine inside.
Employing rodent exclusion and prevention measures is always recommended for rats, as they can spread dangerous diseases, such as hantavirus.
In addition to the city’s 311 call service, there are several ways to keep rats away that can be completed DIY or with the help of a local pest control professional to keep your home or business rat-free.
Common Rats Found in Baltimore
Norway rats are the most common species in Maryland. They typically nest in basements, crawl spaces, and along foundations, burrowing under slabs or entering through damaged masonry.
Roof rats, while less common, are excellent climbers and often invade attics, rooflines, and upper levels of buildings.
Rats are incredibly common across Baltimore due to the dense urban housing and poor sanitation standards–Baltimore is considered the dirtiest city in America. These factors allow rats and rat-borne diseases to spread throughout the city, forcing the local government to take charge of combating their spread.
How Much Damage Can Rats Cause Your Property?
Rats cause extensive damage by chewing through electrical wiring, plumbing lines, insulation, drywall, and even concrete in some cases.
This behavior creates serious fire risks, water damage, and structural issues.
Beyond property damage, rats pose major health concerns. They are known carriers of diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, and typhus, and they contaminate surfaces through urine and droppings.
Because rats breed rapidly and hide in wall voids and underground spaces, even a small rat problem can escalate quickly without professional intervention.
10 Tips to Keep Rats Away from Your Baltimore Property
Rats are attracted to food, water, and warmth, so controlling for these variables can limit your risk of rats entering your property.
1. Eliminate Food Sources
Rats can survive on surprisingly small food sources. Store all food, including pantry items and pet food, in sealed, rodent-resistant containers. Clean up crumbs, spills, and grease daily, especially in kitchens, break rooms, and storage areas.
2. Manage Trash Properly
Use heavy-duty trash cans with tight-fitting lids and keep them away from building entrances. Do not allow garbage bags to sit exposed overnight, and rinse containers regularly to eliminate odor buildup.
3. Secure Pet Feeding Areas
Pet food left out overnight is one of the most common rat attractants. Feed pets on a schedule, remove bowls after meals, and store food in sealed containers. Pick up pet waste promptly from yards.
4. Seal Entry Points Early
Rats can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter. Inspect foundations, door thresholds, utility penetrations, crawl spaces, and basement walls. Seal gaps using steel mesh, concrete patching, or professional-grade sealants—don’t rely on foam alone.
5. Address Roof and Chimney Access
Install chimney caps and inspect rooflines for gaps, damaged soffits, or loose flashing. Trim tree branches and vines back at least 6–10 feet from the structure to prevent roof access.
6. Reduce Exterior Harborage
Remove woodpiles, debris, dense ground cover, and clutter near the building. Rats nest close to food sources, and cluttered perimeters provide ideal shelter.
7. Control Moisture and Standing Water
Fix leaking spigots, hoses, irrigation systems, and foundation drainage issues. Rats need regular water access, and damp areas significantly increase infestation risk.
8. Limit Interior Clutter
Basements, storage rooms, and garages should be organized and elevated off the floor. Cardboard, paper, and unused materials provide nesting material and concealment.
9. Avoid Relying on Repellents Alone
Essential oils and herbs may provide short-term deterrence, but do not stop infestations. Rats quickly adapt to scents and will ignore them once food and shelter are present.
10. Call a Professional Before the Problem Escalates
Traps and poisons may catch individual rats, but they do not address nesting sites or entry routes. Professional rodent control focuses on exclusion, monitoring, and long-term prevention, not just removal.
Why DIY Rodent Control Often Fails
Store-bought traps and repellents can catch individual mice and rats, but they rarely address the root of the problem. Rats reproduce quickly, hide inside walls, and adapt to pressure.
DIY methods often fail because they don’t seal entry points, eliminate nests, or address sanitation issues comprehensively. Poison-based solutions can also create secondary problems, such as rodents dying inside walls and causing odor issues.
Professional rodent control focuses on exclusion first, then population control, followed by long-term monitoring to prevent recurrence.
When to Call a Professional Rodent Control Expert
If you hear scratching in walls, see droppings regularly, notice chewed wiring or insulation, or experience recurring rodent activity despite traps, it’s time to call a professional.
Licensed rodent control specialists identify entry points, nesting areas, and contributing conditions. They use targeted strategies that protect your home while reducing health risks.
Ongoing service plans also help prevent future infestations by catching problems early, before rats have time to multiply.
FAQs
What naturally repels rats?
Strong scents like peppermint oil, cloves, and citronella may deter rodents temporarily, but they do not replace proper sealing and sanitation.
Do rats really chew electrical wires
Yes. Rats chew wiring constantly, which creates a serious fire hazard in homes and attics.
Can one rat turn into an infestation?
Absolutely. A single pair of rats can produce dozens of offspring in just a few months.
Do cats keep rodents away?
Cats can deter rodents through scent alone, but they are not a reliable control method for established infestations.
Do dryer sheets repel rats?
No. Dryer sheets are a myth and do not provide effective rodent control.
How small of an opening can mice and rats fit through?
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as ¼ inch—about the size of a dime–and rats can squeeze through openings as small as ½ inch.
Are rats dangerous to my family?
Yes. Rats contaminate food and surfaces and can spread diseases through droppings, urine, and nesting materials.
Should I call animal control for rodents?
Animal control typically handles wildlife, not household rodent infestations. Pest control professionals are the correct resource for mice and rats.