Rat Control in Wichita, KS
Rats are bigger and bolder than mice. They chew wood, wires and plastic pipe. They leave droppings and urine where they travel and where food is kept. People often first notice rats in a garage, shed, crawl space or attic, or along the base of the house.
Norway rats are the most widespread rat in the United States. They dig burrows in the ground, under slabs and in thick plants, and they usually stay low. Roof rats climb well and nest up high, but they are found mostly in warmer coastal and southern states. A provider can help tell which kind you have, because that changes where traps go and which openings need to be closed.
Call to talk through your rodent problem. You can ask about service availability at your address, how visits work and what the price covers.
Urgent rodent help: if a rat is in your living space or you see chewed wiring, call to ask about the next available visit. Stay away from damaged wires and have an electrician look at them.
Signs of rats
- Large droppingsRat droppings are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and shaped like a capsule. Look near food, along walls, in the garage and in the attic.
- Burrows near the houseHoles about 2 to 4 inches wide along the foundation, under a slab or in thick plants. A smooth, packed opening means the hole is likely in use.
- Gnaw marksFresh chew marks on wood, plastic, wiring, feed bags or trash cans. New marks look light in color and rough.
- Dark rub marksRats follow the same paths and leave greasy smudges along walls, beams and the edges of holes.
- Noises at nightHeavy scratching, thumping or running sounds in the walls, ceiling or attic after dark.
- Missing foodPet food, birdseed or garden produce that disappears overnight, or bags with holes chewed in the bottom.
What a careful rat job usually includes
- A look inside and outThe provider should check the yard, foundation, garage, crawl space and attic, not just the spot where you saw the rat.
- Safe trap and bait placementTraps and bait should be set where rats travel and kept in locked, tamper-resistant stations away from kids and pets.
- Closing the way inRats can fit through a gap about 1/2 inch wide. Openings should be closed with hard materials like hardware cloth, sheet metal or mortar, not foam alone.
- Cleanup adviceDroppings and nests can carry germs. Ask how the provider handles cleanup, or what steps you should take yourself.
- A follow-up checkAsk whether a return visit is part of the price, so traps can be checked and sealed spots looked at again.
What you can do today
- Store pet food, birdseed and grass seed in metal or hard plastic bins with tight lids.
- Keep trash and recycling cans closed, and do not leave pet food out overnight.
- Move woodpiles, boxes and other clutter away from the walls of the house.
- Trim shrubs, vines and tree limbs back so they do not touch the house or roof.
- Do not sweep or vacuum droppings. Wear rubber or plastic gloves and wet the waste with a household disinfectant. Follow the label for contact time and safe use. Ask about professional cleanup for a heavy infestation.
- Do not set out loose poison where children, pets or wildlife could reach it.
Questions to ask when you call
Your call is connected with an independent provider. These questions help you get clear answers before anyone comes out.
- Do you serve my address, and when is the next available visit?
- What does the first visit include, and what will it cost?
- Will you seal entry points, and what materials do you use?
- Are follow-up visits included, or are they extra?
- How will traps or bait be kept away from my kids and pets?
Call to confirm service at your address. Prices, schedules and any guarantee come from the provider, so ask for the details on the call.
Related services
Rodent Exclusion
Closing the gaps rats and mice use to get in. Common spots, the right materials and how sealing fits with trapping.
Mice Removal
Small droppings in drawers, chewed food boxes or light scratching in the walls. Learn why trapping works best with sealing.
Emergency Rodent Removal
A rat in the kitchen or a mouse in the bedroom. Safe steps to take now, and what to ask when you call about the next available visit.
Areas around Wichita
We take calls from Wichita neighborhoods and nearby cities such as Derby, Andover, Bel Aire and Maize. See the service areas page for local property checks, and call to confirm service at your address.