Ok straight to the problem. I have a rag problem in my house and the rat(s) come out at night and make a ruckus looking for food and I just now (30 minutes ago) started the bay leave trick. What do y'all think would help get rid of these?
I need sleep lol. I haven't slept well for the last week and I am getting tired of this. Help please. (I don't have money for an exterminator btw.)

To begin with, seal all food in hard containers like glass, metal, ceramic, the fridge, even the oven if you must. Remove all food-related trash from your place at night or when you are out. Clean out your drawers, cupboard, behind furniture and beneath cushions. You have to do this before anything else, or they will chew their way in no matter what you do.

Next, identify where they are entering and close it up with wood, firmly attached metal mesh, or even spray foam insulation. Steel wool is sometimes recommended, but they will pull it out because it's hard to secure. Again, they will get in to find food if there is available food or trash inside.

Bay leaves are not likely to help at all. Avoid poison because they will just die in your walls and stink. Rat traps are cheap and you may want to use them once you have done the other things if the problem persists. Do not put them outside or where other animals or people will encounter them.

Remove debris from around your house.

Buy nightvision goggles and a 22 cal rifle. Have fun

The rat died choking on the bay leaves. Sweet release

Odd, considering the leaves of the Bay Laurel are generally considered safe. The belief that the leaves are toxic comes from the toxicity of the similar but unrelated Mountain Laurel leaves. I suppose you might have such a tree growing nearby, though they are not common in FL. I also don't know why a rat would choose to eat leaves if there was any other food around, since they generally go for starches, proteins and sweets.

Get a cat. Mine brings in rats, mice, and shrews from a garden about 4 doors down the road.

Better yet: a cat named oliver. Maybe even 4 cats named oliver.

Cats are great, but you have to be careful not to get them too excited.

Fun fact: you can actually get high off of catnip.

The effect on humans, if any, is mild according to controlled studies. Smoking enough to get a mild effect is more likely to make one feel sick.