--- title: Keep Rats Away from Your Home in Boston description: "Rats in Boston are moving into the suburbs: Here's what to do to keep rats away from your home." image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/RAT%20CROUCHED.jpeg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Keep Rats Away from Your Home in Boston By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Aug 2, 2022 10:00:00 AM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/keep-rats-away-boston#comments-listing) ## Rats are running rampant in Boston – according to the city’s 311 data, [rodent](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/)complaints have been on the rise over the last couple of years, and they're coming from the suburbs, too. Here’s what you should do to keep rats away from your home. ### ![Keep Rats Away in Boston](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RAT%20CROUCHED.jpeg?width=266&name=RAT%20CROUCHED.jpeg)Rats are commonly thought to be an urban problem. It is true that cities provide absolutely everything [rats](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/rodent-awareness-week-2020) need to thrive, often packed into an expanse of just a block or two; however, suburbs are becoming increasingly vulnerable to rat invasions as well. ### Rats may have started moving farther outside of downtown areas when Covid-19 had businesses, particularly restaurants, closing their doors or reducing operations, thus decreasing the availability of a primary [food](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/cookout-pest-control-tips-massachusetts-rhode-island)source. The rodents had to travel into more residential areas in search of food- Now that businesses are operating more normally, rats are on the rise in cities again, but many have adapted to suburban life and see no reason to leave. #### Keep Rats Out of Your Yard ##### Seal trash securely: Trash is a primary source of food for rats and many other pests. Make sure trash bins are tightly closed, preferably with a heavy lid. ##### Eliminate other food sources: Trash isn’t the only item on the menu for hungry rats. [Rodent-proof](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) your vegetable garden, pick up any fallen fruit from trees, and avoid feeding birds and other wildlife. ##### Keep trees and shrubs trimmed: An [overgrown yard](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/why-do-i-have-mice-in-my-home-in-the-summer-massachusetts)is a rodent refuge. Untrimmed vegetation allows rats to move around unseen, and tall, thick grass disguises evidence of activity, like burrows. ##### Stay dry: Reduce the amount of [water](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/wet-weather-and-pest-activity-massachusetts-rhode-island)on your property by emptying receptacles such as wading pools, wheelbarrows, buckets, and flower pots. Check outdoor taps and garden hoses for leaks. #### Keep Rats Out of Your Home ##### Deny access: Rats don’t need much space to squeeze inside. [Seal cracks and crevices](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/how-mice-get-inside-south-shore-massachusetts)around your foundation and openings around utility lines, and make sure [doors and windows are secure](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/rodent-proofing-your-home-massachusetts-rhode-island). ##### Stay clean & organized: Clean surfaces regularly, especially in kitchen and dining areas, and store food in sealed containers. Keep storage areas organized and uncluttered – similar to overgrowth in your yard, clutter indoors allows rats to move through your home undetected, and may prevent you from noticing droppings or other [evidence of infestation](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/signs-of-rodent-infestation-weston-ma). #### Call the Professionals for Rat Control ##### It is not recommended to attempt rat control with [do-it-yourself methods](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/dont-diy-rodent-control). Rats’ notoriously fast breeding cycle means an infestation can get out of hand quickly and makes it nearly impossible to keep up once they’re established. Rodents also carry [several dangerous diseases](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/protect-yourself-rodent-borne-diseases-new-england) that can be spread to humans, so it is especially important to [leave this task to the experts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/call-the-professionals-rodent-control-massachusetts-rhode-island). --- ##### If rats are in your house, the Burgess Pest team should be too. Call for a [free estimate](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) and get on the road to a rodent-free home today! [![Get More Information or Schedule a Free Estimate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/ddb0b7e7-43ec-41c3-9462-57405354b798.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/ddb0b7e7-43ec-41c3-9462-57405354b798) Topics: [south shore pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-pest-control-tips), [pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control-tips), [massachusetts rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-rodent-control), [summer mouse activity](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/summer-mouse-activity), [rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rat-control), [south shore rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-rodent-control), [summer pests](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/summer-pests), [rhode island rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-rodent-control), [rhode island rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-rat-control), [cape cod rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-rodent-control), [south shore rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-rat-control), [metrowest rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-rodent-control), [worcester rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-rodent-control), [north shore rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/north-shore-rodent-control), [diy rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/diy-rodent-control), [diy pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/diy-pest-control), [massachusetts summer pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-summer-pest-control), [best massachusetts rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-massachusetts-rodent-control), [boston rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-rodent-control), [summer rodent activity](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/summer-rodent-activity), [worcester rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-rat-control), [cape cod rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-rat-control), [north shore rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/north-shore-rat-control), [boston rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-rat-control), [best massachusetts rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-massachusetts-rat-control), [best boston rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-boston-rat-control), [metrowest rat control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-rat-control), [winter pests](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/winter-pests)  Thanks for visiting today! ### Have a Pest Problem?   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1) ### Get the latest in your inbox ### Recent Posts ##### Residential Pest Control - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Massachusetts Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) ##### COMPANY - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ##### Contact Us [508-587-4309](tel:508-587-4309) [email](mailto:info@burgesspest.com) - - - - ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG: © 2022 Burgess Pest Management. 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