Quick answer
To get rid of rats in NYC, seal every entry point larger than a quarter (around pipes, foundations, vents and doors), remove food and harbourage (trash, clutter, overgrowth), and use tamper-resistant baiting and trapping to knock down the active population — because in NYC, killing rats without sealing how they get in just invites the next wave within weeks.
The short answer
In NYC, getting rid of rats is about exclusion first — seal how they get in, then knock down the population. New York’s rats have endless food and connected underground highways, so baiting alone never holds. Seal entry points the size of a quarter, remove food and harbourage, then trap and bait.
Step by step
- Seal entry points — gaps around pipes, foundations, vents, under doors.
- Remove food and harbourage — secured trash, no clutter or overgrowth.
- Bait and trap safely — tamper-resistant stations + snap traps along walls.
- Address the block — connected basements and sewers feed the whole building.
When to call a professional
Persistent rats, droppings in multiple areas, or activity in a multi-unit building mean the source is likely beyond your unit. Our rat & mouse control finds and seals the entry points DIY misses and coordinates building-wide treatment.