The Moment You See a Rat—Act Fast, but Smart
Imagine:
You’re working at your computer and something big scurries past your desk. It’s not a mouse.
It’s a rat.
That’s exactly what happened to a local homeowner in Wilmar, MN. She saw a rat the size of a small cat by her desk and immediately called Complete Ground Control for help.
That moment of panic is more common than people think. But what really matters is how you respond.
One Rat is A Bigger Problem Than You Think
The question most homeowners ask is:
“If I saw one, are there more?”
The answer is almost always yes.
Rats are rarely alone.
In fact, seeing one in daylight often means the infestation has already reached a concerning level.
Rats travel in groups, reproduce quickly, and adapt fast to indoor environments.
Why Rats Are Serious Trouble:
- They chew through wires, increasing fire risk
- They contaminate food sources and prep areas
- They damage insulation and building materials
- Their presence alone creates extreme anxiety for homeowners
What You Should Do Immediately
If you’ve spotted a rat inside your home, take these 5 steps:
- Avoid confronting the rat – Don’t try to chase it; it will hide.
- Secure food sources – Store all food in airtight containers.
- Inspect quickly but carefully – Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting signs.
- Seal what you can lightly – Stuff steel wool into any small gaps temporarily.
- Call a professional – Extermination without strategy can actually make the problem worse.
How Complete Ground Control Handles Rats Differently
At Complete Ground Control, our rat process is about strategy, data, and certainty.
We don’t just throw down traps and hope. We:
- Use game cameras to observe rat behavior
- Set up multiple types of traps and bait
- Monitor entry points and high-traffic zones
- Wait to seal until the behavior pattern is fully understood
This ensures we’re not just dealing with one rat—we’re identifying all of them.
| Tool or Method | Purpose | Location Used |
|---|---|---|
| Game Cameras | Monitor and confirm activity | Attic, kitchen, basement |
| Snap Traps | Quick elimination | Baseboards, dark corners |
| Bait Stations | Lure & control movement | Crawl spaces, garages |
Why You Shouldn’t Seal First
You’d think that sealing up entry points right away is smart but it can backfire.
Rats are pattern-based pests. If you disrupt their routine before removing them, they’ll:
- Find new places to hide
- Stop taking bait
- Become more difficult to trap
That’s why we take a wait-then-seal approach.
We keep the rats comfortable in their routine, so we can remove them all without delay.
| Action Step | When We Do It | Why Timing Is Crucial |
|---|---|---|
| Place Traps | Immediately | Catch them while active |
| Use Cameras | Early in process | Learn movement & patterns |
| Seal Entry Points | After removal complete | Prevent reentry & adaptation |
Top 6 Signs You Have a Rat Problem
Not sure it’s a rat?
Look for these key warning signs:
- Large droppings (bigger than rice)
- Noises in the walls or attic at night
- Gnaw marks on boxes, wires, and baseboards
- Nests made of paper, insulation, or cloth
- A strong ammonia-like smell
- Grease marks on lower walls or near corners
If you’ve noticed two or more of these, you likely have a rat infestation.
Our Proven Rat Exclusion Process
Here’s what we do when you call us:
- Inspect thoroughly
- Install traps and bait stations
- Use motion-activated cameras to observe movement
- Track and eliminate the full colony
- Seal all active and potential entry points
- Follow up to ensure no more signs of activity
You get peace of mind, not just pest control.
Our Rat Exclusion Process at a Glance
| Step | What We Do | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection & Setup | Cameras, traps, and bait installed | Confirm rat count & activity |
| Elimination Phase | Full removal using varied methods | Home becomes rodent-free |
| Final Exclusion | Entry points professionally sealed | Prevents future infestation |
What Makes Rats Worse Than Mice
It’s not just size—though they can be as large as a kitten.
Rats:
- Are more destructive
- Avoid new traps if used incorrectly
- Can chew through concrete and wiring
- Are more likely to bite if cornered
- Are harder to remove without professional help
Where mice might be manageable, rats almost always require a systematic approach and the use of specialized monitoring tools.
Why We Think This Is Important
A rat infestation isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a crisis.
It affects your family’s safety, comfort, and peace of mind.
At Complete Ground Control, we believe the only way to deal with rats is with:
- Data-backed removal methods
- Modern technology like game cameras
- Professional sealing and exclusion
- Long-term prevention not short-term relief
We understand how unsettling it is to know something is moving through your home at night.
That’s why we take every job personally—so you can take back your home with confidence.
FAQs
How many rats are usually in a home if I see one?
It’s common for one visible rat to mean several are present, especially if you hear or see other signs like droppings or scratching.
Are game cameras really necessary?
Yes! They help us track activity and confirm if all rats are removed—giving you visual proof and us better data for a smarter plan.
How long does rat removal take?
Usually 1–2 weeks, depending on how many rats are present and how established they are.
Can rats return after you remove them?
Not if the exclusion is done properly. We seal all entry points and offer advice on future prevention.
What’s the difference between a rat and a mouse?
Size, behavior, and danger level. Rats are larger, more destructive, and more aggressive. They need a more advanced strategy to eliminate.
