I've just discovered that I likely have roof rats (the sign being some oranges with centers gnawed hollow). Yikes!

I did a little cruising around the internet and found that these aren't any special breed, just ordinary yucky rattus, so to speak. But does anyone have advice?

Contrary to the customary cautions, I cannot trim four feet away from everything: My two trees are within three feet of the house and partition walls. Based on my experience with mice, years ago, I don't anticipate much luck with traps. Did you use your pest-control company? How long did it take for results? Is there something you sprayed to cover the existing rat-scent so that they don't return? Does peppermint oil help?

It's particularly complicated, because there's not someone here to check traps constantly.