How to get rid of rats in a Bali villa

Confirm it is rats

Typical signs are scratching or running in the ceiling at night, dark droppings the size of a grain of rice or larger, gnawed wires, packaging or fruit, greasy rub marks along walls and nests of shredded material.

Find how they get in

A young rat can squeeze through a gap about the size of a thumb, and mice through much less. Check roof edges and eaves, gaps around pipes and cables, drains, vents, gaps under doors and where trees or vines touch the roof. Rats often climb along cables, walls and branches.

Remove what attracts them

Store food and pet food in sealed containers, keep waste bins closed and emptied regularly, and clear fallen fruit. Trim branches that touch the roof and keep vegetation away from walls.

Use bait stations and traps correctly

Bait stations are tamper-resistant boxes that keep bait away from children and pets. Place them along walls and runways, not in open spaces. Snap traps work well for small numbers, set against walls with the trigger toward the wall.

Avoid loose poison. Poisoned rats can die in walls and ceilings, causing odour and attracting flies, and loose bait can be eaten by pets or wildlife.

Health note

Rats can spread disease through droppings and urine, including leptospirosis, which can contaminate water. Wear gloves when cleaning, disinfect surfaces and wash your hands afterwards.

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