Rat Extermination in NYC — Eliminated and Kept Out
NYC's rat population is legendary — and for good reason. Norway rats have colonized the city's subway system, trash infrastructure, and building foundations for over 200 years. Getting rid of the rats you have is only half the battle. Keeping new ones out is the other. Our rat control programs combine strategic trapping, tamper-resistant bait stations, and structural exclusion work to eliminate current infestations and seal every entry point against future ones.
Rat Extermination Cost in NYC
Starting price range
$350 – $600
Final price depends on property size and severity of infestation. Free inspection + written quote before any work begins.
About Rat Extermination in NYC
Norway rats are the dominant rat species in New York City. They're large — up to 16 inches including the tail — brown or gray, and almost exclusively ground-level. They burrow near foundations, dumpsters, subway infrastructure, and anywhere with reliable food sources. House mice are a separate species: much smaller, gray, and found on every floor of every building type in the city. Both gnaw through electrical wiring, contaminate food, and carry disease. Both reproduce fast enough to turn a small problem into a serious infestation within weeks.
Signs of Infestation
- ⚠Droppings — dark, banana-shaped, 3/4 inch long — along walls and near food sources
- ⚠Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, and electrical wiring insulation
- ⚠Burrows near the foundation, under concrete, or along fence lines
- ⚠Grease rub marks — dark smears on walls where rats repeatedly travel
- ⚠Scratching, gnawing, or squeaking sounds in walls at night
- ⚠Live or dead rats — if you see them, the population is large
Need Rat Extermination in NYC?
Licensed exterminators. Free inspection. No money upfront. Same-day available.
Our Treatment Approach
Rat control starts with a property inspection to identify burrow locations, entry points, travel paths, and food sources. Treatment includes snap traps and tamper-resistant bait stations placed strategically along travel routes, followed by exclusion work to seal every identified entry point with steel mesh, concrete, and expanding foam. We document every access point sealed and schedule follow-up visits to clear traps, monitor activity, and confirm elimination. For commercial properties and restaurant clients, we provide full DOH-compliant service documentation.
Signs of Rats vs. Mice in NYC — How to Tell the Difference
Rat droppings are capsule-shaped and about ¾ inch long — much larger than mouse droppings, which resemble dark rice grains. Rats gnaw through harder materials including PVC pipe, lead, and concrete block, leaving rough-edged entry holes 2 inches or larger. Greasy rub marks along walls and pipes indicate regular rat travel routes. Identifying the species matters because bait station placement, trap sizing, and exclusion materials differ significantly between rats and mice.
Why Trapping Alone Doesn't Eliminate a Rat Infestation
Rat colonies in NYC buildings can exceed 50 animals in a single structure — trapping reduces visible numbers but never eliminates the colony because rats are neophobic (afraid of new objects) and quickly learn to avoid traps. Effective rat control combines tamper-resistant bait stations placed along established travel routes, identification and sealing of all entry points, and ongoing monitoring. Without exclusion work, new rats from neighboring properties or city infrastructure will replace any that are removed.
How Rats Get Into NYC Apartments — The Entry Points Nobody Fixes
Rats enter NYC buildings through gaps around water pipes and sewer lines (¾ inch is enough), beneath poorly fitting basement doors, through damaged foundation weep holes, and via open drains. Norway rats are expert burrowers and commonly enter through utility trenches dug along building foundations. Our inspection identifies every active entry point and provides written recommendations for sealing — treatment without exclusion is a temporary fix at best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do rats get into NYC buildings?▾
Rats enter through gaps as small as 1/2 inch — foundation cracks, gaps around pipes and conduits, damaged basement windows, open utility access points, and deteriorated door sweeps. In buildings with shared basement spaces, rats travel freely between units. Exclusion — physically sealing these entry points — is the only permanent solution.
Can I get rid of rats myself?▾
Retail snap traps can catch individual rats, but they don't address the colony or the entry points. Without exclusion work, new rats replace eliminated ones within days. Professional treatment addresses the full infestation and seals entry points to prevent reinfestation.
How much does rat extermination cost in NYC?▾
Rat control typically runs $200–$600 for initial treatment and exclusion of a residential property. Larger properties, commercial spaces, or significant exclusion work are quoted after inspection. Rodent-proofing (comprehensive structural exclusion) is quoted separately at $500–$3,000 depending on scope.
How long does rat extermination take?▾
Active rat control typically requires 2–4 visits over 3–4 weeks to eliminate the current population and confirm all entry points are sealed. Signs of activity decrease significantly within the first week of treatment.
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Ready to Eliminate Rats for Good?
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