Woodrats can usually be controlled by the use of traps or poison that you would use for other types of rats or mice. Rat snap trap works very well as do many forms of live trap, burrow-entrance traps, or glue boards. However, glue boards are effective only if kept clean as they loose their effectiveness in dusty areas or over long periods. The best baits are peanut butter & oatmeal, nuts, bacon rind, raisins, or dried fruit. Woodrats have little fear of new objects or man made objects within their territory, which makes them fairly easy to trap. Most rat poisons, while being effective, are dangerous, and should be used only under professional supervision. Additionally, most “poisoned” pellet baits should be avoided since rats may carry the pellets to cache in their nest.

There are no registered repellents and none that are considered effective. Fumigants have not proven helpful and shooting has only had limited value. There are some anticoagulants which are registered and must be applied only by a certified applicator.