Decks and compost bins give rats the two things they need: shelter and food. To get rid of them, trap along the edges of the deck and the sides of the bin, remove the food, and then block the way in.
Signs rats are under your deck or in the compost
- Burrow holes, about 5–8 cm across, along the deck edge or beside the bin
- Fresh soil pushed out, worn paths in the grass
- Droppings near the bin, deck stairs or fence line
- Food scraps dragged out of the compost
Where to place traps
- Deck: along the outside edge, at the corners and beside the stairs, with an entry facing along the edge. Under-deck spaces you can reach are ideal because they’re sheltered.
- Compost bin: on both sides, tight against the bin, and along the fence or wall the rats use to reach it.
- Use 2–4 traps to start, bait with a pea-sized dab of peanut butter, and check every morning.
Make the compost rat-resistant
- Use a bin with a lid and a solid or wire-mesh base
- Don’t add meat, fish, dairy, bread or cooked food
- Bury fresh scraps under brown material (leaves, shredded paper)
- Keep the bin a little away from fences and walls rats travel along
Block the deck once activity stops
When you’ve stopped catching and seeing signs, close the space under the deck with galvanized hardware cloth, buried at least 30 cm and bent outward at the bottom so rats can’t dig under it. Do this only once the space is empty, so you don’t trap rats inside.
A trap made for sheltered outdoor spots
The ZIVASKA Reusable Dual-Tunnel Rat Trap has rust- and rot-proof ABS housing for sheltered outdoor spots like deck edges and bin sides, a 24 g+ trigger sized for rats, two entries and no poison.
Safety: keep traps out of reach of children, pets and non-target animals, and follow the instructions in the box.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of rats under my deck?
Place several rat traps along the deck edge, corners and stairs, check them daily, remove nearby food sources, and once activity stops, close the space with buried hardware cloth.
Do compost bins attract rats?
They can, especially with meat, dairy, bread or cooked food, or if rats can get in from below. A lidded bin with a mesh base and only raw plant scraps is much less attractive.
Where is the best place to put a rat trap in the backyard?
Against a wall, fence, deck edge or bin side, on the route rats use, with an entry facing along the edge.
Can I use the same trap outdoors and indoors?
The ZIVASKA Dual-Tunnel Rat Trap works indoors and in sheltered outdoor spots. Avoid leaving it on open, exposed ground.
ZIVASKA is a Canadian, women-owned small business in Burnaby, BC. Free shipping across Canada. Pickup in Burnaby by appointment only.