Rats in the home is a very unusual subject, one that we would have never thought of 20 years ago. But in the past two decades, the number of rats infesting homes has risen dramatically. From New York to Los Angeles, from Washington D.C. to Denver, rats are moving into people’s homes and it is creating quite a problem for homeowners. Rats in the home are generally a very unwelcome and unwanted permanent house guest. This problem can be resolved simply by doing basic maintenance of the home, such as shutting off all entry points of rats. Another preferred method of fixing this issue is to trap them out of the home with a specialized type of traps such as Snap-E Rat Trap. Rats house pets, among those families that kept these animals in their homes, the first thing is to admit that rats in the home are places where they nest. Where do these rats nest ? Under the floor, in the holes of walls and cracks in the home. less and less cases of rats shacks actually more often find nests of this type as a result of developed construction work, have more and more wooden houses, but also under the floors of any kind of houses. Rats might not seem like a problem that homeowners have to deal with. However, apartment buildings, homes, restaurants and other public places where food is served are all places where rats can come. If you notice small holes in your living space, you need to know how to remove rats and prevent them from coming back.

Cause Of Rats In The Home

Introduction

Rats can get into your home. They are one of the most destructive animals in homes when they get into them, because they gnaw on wood, drywall, flooring, piping and wiring. Methodically inspecting your property will help identify and seal entry points around the home. Knowing signs that rats are living in your home is important for early detection of a rat infestation.

store food in containers with tightly fitting lids

One of the best ways to keep rats out of your home is by keeping food in containers that are sealed, airtight and rodent proof. Food should be stored in a cool, dry place where it cannot be accessed by rodents or other animals. If you have pet food for your cats or dogs, make sure that it is kept in a rodent-proof container.

After you’ve made sure there are no holes into which rodents can enter your home, another way to keep them at bay is by making sure all food items have tightly fitting lids on them (or better yet, stored away).

place pet food and birdseed in rodent proof containers

There are several types of containers that can be used to store pet food and birdseed. The best choice for you depends on how much time you want to spend replacing the container every day or two, and how many rats are in your area.

A good choice is an unbreakable container made from thick plastic or metal. These will last longer than a glass bowl, but they still need to be replaced periodically because they can be chewed open by rodents even when they’re not knocked over (which is especially likely if there are more than one rat involved).

Another good option is a metal cage that’s designed to hold pet food or bird seed – these usually come with some sort of lid (although it doesn’t have to close all the way), so they’ll keep food out of reach while also being harder for rats to access than any other type of container would be if placed on top of them!

do not leave food debris on counters or floors overnight

• Do not leave food debris on counters or floors overnight. Rats are attracted to the odor of food, so it’s best to clean up after yourself as soon as you’re done eating.
• Rats can enter a home through holes as small as 1/4 inch. Be sure that your foundation is free from cracks and gaps where rats may be able to enter your home.
• Rats are also attracted to pet food and birdseed, so make sure these items aren’t kept in easy-to-reach places if you have either type of animal in your home, or consider storing them in sealed containers with tight lids before putting them away for the night.
• Rats have been known to chew through electrical wires and pipes; they often cause fires when they do this! In addition, they can spread disease through their droppings and saliva; both humans and pets can contract rat-borne diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) by inhaling dust contaminated with rat feces

fix any leaks inside and outside the home

• Fix any leaks inside and outside the home.
• Keep your backyard clean.
• Eliminate clutter in your home, especially near the foundation and walls.

eliminate any sources of standing water

It is important to eliminate any sources of standing water, as rats are attracted to areas where there is moisture and food. To do this:

• Check your home for leaks or any other source of standing water. Fix the problem immediately.
• Maintain your yard so that it’s not overgrown with tall grasses, weeds or brush and ensure that there is no trash lying around that could attract rodents.
• Regularly check basements, garages and attics for signs of rodent activity (such as droppings). Be sure these areas are dry and free from clutter if you find evidence of rats living in them.

keep tree limbs and shrubs trimmed away from the home

• Keep tree branches trimmed away from the home.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed away from the home.
• Keep tree limbs trimmed away from the home.

storing firewood at least 20 feet away from the home and 5 feet off the ground

To prevent rats from entering the home and gaining access to your firewood, you should store it at least 20 feet away from the home and 5 feet off the ground. Firewood should be stored in a metal shed or metal enclosure, not just stacked against a fence. The shed or enclosure should have a solid floor that will keep rats from burrowing underneath it and entering the home through gaps in its foundation. Finally, make sure kids don’t have access to any part of this storage area!

seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home with a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home with a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Use a caulking gun with a medium-size tip, which is large enough to fill the crack but small enough that it will not clog easily. Fill in any cracks you find with two or three applications of caulk, smoothing out each layer before adding another coat.
• Replace any loose gutter screens and clean them regularly so they won’t become damaged by insects or rodents seeking shelter inside.

use metal, concrete, hardware cloth or heavy gauge wire mesh to repair large holes

If you have large holes in your walls or ceiling, the best thing to do is repair them with metal mesh, concrete or hardware cloth. If you don’t want to hire a professional for this job, try using a mixture of cement and water (1:3) in a bucket. The cement will dry quickly but keep in mind that it can be difficult to remove from objects such as glass and plastic so make sure the area is well ventilated before applying it.

Rats are one of the most destructive animals in homes when they get into them, because they gnaw on wood, drywall, flooring, piping and wiring. Methodically inspecting your property will help identify and seal entry points around the home.

Rats are one of the most destructive animals in homes when they get into them, because they gnaw on wood, drywall, flooring, piping and wiring. Methodically inspecting your property will help identify and seal entry points around the home. Rats can travel through very small holes, so it is important to check all areas where there may be openings between buildings or where utilities enter the home.

If you have found an opening for rats to enter their habitat then use metal or concrete to repair large holes under porches or decks (pipes should have a minimum size of ½ inch). Repair smaller openings with hardware cloth or heavy gauge wire mesh before sealing it with silicone caulk around doors and windowsills where possible contact points exist between walls/floors/ceilings etc..

Conclusion

Homeowners have to be diligent to prevent rats from entering their home or they may be faced with a serious infestation. Rats are very destructive and will destroy wood, drywall, flooring, piping and wiring. If you are having trouble keeping rats out of your home, call the professionals at Critter Control for help. Our technicians are trained to deal with these pests in the most humane and effective way possible.