If it seems like rats are becoming more common in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and surrounding communities, you're not imagining it. Local governments, residents, and pest management professionals have all reported an increase in rat activity in recent years.

Mild Winters Help Rats Survive

One likely reason is a series of relatively mild winters. Rats can remain active throughout the year, and warmer winter conditions can improve survival and allow populations to rebound more quickly in spring. 

There Is More Food Available

Rats thrive wherever food is readily available. In urban and suburban neighborhoods, common food sources include:

• Fallen fruit from backyard trees
• Bird seed
• Chicken feed
• Pet food left outdoors
• Garbage that is not securely contained
• Backyard compost piles

What Can Homeowners Do?

The most effective way to prevent rats is to reduce the resources they need to survive:

• Pick up fallen fruit promptly.
• Store pet food and livestock feed in rodent-proof containers.
• Avoid leaving bird seed on the ground.
• Keep garbage containers tightly closed.
• Trim vegetation away from structures.
• Seal openings larger than ¼ inch around buildings.
• Eliminate standing water when possible.
• Tidy yard areas and remove debris that rats can use as shelter

What About Traps?

Physical traps can be an effective option for homeowners, especially when rat activity is detected early. Snap traps are often recommended because they provide quick results, allow homeowners to confirm captures, and avoid some of the risks associated with rodenticides.

To improve success:

• Place traps along walls, fences, or other travel routes where rats are active.
• Use multiple traps rather than a single trap.
• Bait traps with attractive foods such as peanut butter, nuts, or dried fruit.
• Keep traps away from children and pets.
• Continue trapping until no new rat activity is observed.
• Glue boards are generally not recommended for rat management because they may be less effective for large rodents and can raise animal welfare concerns.

Remember that traps address the rats that are present, but long-term success depends on removing food, water, and shelter sources and sealing entry points around buildings.

Rodenticides in Nevada

Rodenticides can help reduce rat populations, but they are most effective when used as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program that emphasizes sanitation, exclusion, and habitat modification first.

In Nevada, homeowners can generally purchase and use rodenticides that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and labeled for residential consumer use, provided they follow all label directions. However, many of the products available to homeowners are limited to tamper-resistant bait stations and formulations designed to reduce risks to children, pets, and wildlife. Some rodenticides are restricted to certified applicators and are not available for homeowner use.

Before using a rodenticide, homeowners should remember:

• Always read and follow the pesticide label.
• Place baits only in locations specified on the label.
• Use tamper-resistant bait stations when required.
• Take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to children, pets, and non-target wildlife.
• Remove food, water, and shelter sources whenever possible, since rodenticides alone will not prevent reinfestation.
• Because rodenticides can pose risks to wildlife that may consume poisoned rodents, prevention and exclusion are often the most sustainable long-term solutions for residential rat management.

For current information on pesticide regulations and product registrations, homeowners can consult the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

More Resources

For additional information on rat identification and management, see the Rats Pest Notes from UC IPM. 

If it seems like rats are becoming more common in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and surrounding communities, you're not imagining it. Local governments, residents, and pest management professionals have all reported an increase in rat activity in recent years.

Mild Winters Help Rats Survive

One likely reason is a series of relatively mild winters. Rats can remain active throughout the year, and warmer winter conditions can improve survival and allow populations to rebound more quickly in spring. 

There Is More Food Available

Rats thrive wherever food is readily available. In urban and suburban neighborhoods, common food sources include:

• Fallen fruit from backyard trees
• Bird seed
• Chicken feed
• Pet food left outdoors
• Garbage that is not securely contained
• Backyard compost piles

What Can Homeowners Do?

The most effective way to prevent rats is to reduce the resources they need to survive:

• Pick up fallen fruit promptly.
• Store pet food and livestock feed in rodent-proof containers.
• Avoid leaving bird seed on the ground.
• Keep garbage containers tightly closed.
• Trim vegetation away from structures.
• Seal openings larger than ¼ inch around buildings.
• Eliminate standing water when possible.
• Tidy yard areas and remove debris that rats can use as shelter

What About Traps?

Physical traps can be an effective option for homeowners, especially when rat activity is detected early. Snap traps are often recommended because they provide quick results, allow homeowners to confirm captures, and avoid some of the risks associated with rodenticides.

To improve success:

• Place traps along walls, fences, or other travel routes where rats are active.
• Use multiple traps rather than a single trap.
• Bait traps with attractive foods such as peanut butter, nuts, or dried fruit.
• Keep traps away from children and pets.
• Continue trapping until no new rat activity is observed.
• Glue boards are generally not recommended for rat management because they may be less effective for large rodents and can raise animal welfare concerns.

Remember that traps address the rats that are present, but long-term success depends on removing food, water, and shelter sources and sealing entry points around buildings.

Rodenticides in Nevada

Rodenticides can help reduce rat populations, but they are most effective when used as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program that emphasizes sanitation, exclusion, and habitat modification first.

In Nevada, homeowners can generally purchase and use rodenticides that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and labeled for residential consumer use, provided they follow all label directions. However, many of the products available to homeowners are limited to tamper-resistant bait stations and formulations designed to reduce risks to children, pets, and wildlife. Some rodenticides are restricted to certified applicators and are not available for homeowner use.

Before using a rodenticide, homeowners should remember:

• Always read and follow the pesticide label.
• Place baits only in locations specified on the label.
• Use tamper-resistant bait stations when required.
• Take precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to children, pets, and non-target wildlife.
• Remove food, water, and shelter sources whenever possible, since rodenticides alone will not prevent reinfestation.
• Because rodenticides can pose risks to wildlife that may consume poisoned rodents, prevention and exclusion are often the most sustainable long-term solutions for residential rat management.

For current information on pesticide regulations and product registrations, homeowners can consult the Nevada Department of Agriculture.

More Resources

For additional information on rat identification and management, see the Rats Pest Notes from UC IPM.