Bureau of Community Hygiene Ten Tips for Rodent Control Store garbage in metal or heavy plastic containers with tight lids. Place trash outside shortly before pickup; don't leave plastic garbage bags out overnight. Remove weeds and debris near buildings and in yards; don't give rats a place to hide. Store opened food in metal or glass containers with tight lids. Don't leave extra pet food out; store it in a secure container. Sweep up food remains, litter, and trash inside and outside your home. Inspect your basement and house for cracks and holes; seal them with mortar. Make sure you have screens on windows; inspect windows and screens for holes. Keep outside doors closed; use metal trim to prevent rodents from gnawing and entering underneath. Don't provide hiding places for rodents; store materials such as lumber and boxes on a rack with a clean, open area underneath. Get rid of unused materials and junk.