No one likes to find evidence of rodents in their home, but unfortunately, rats can often find ways to get inside and successfully hide from your sight, and rats in house are not something anybody likes.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common ways rats can get into your house, and we’ll provide some tips on how to prevent them from becoming unwelcome guests.
Why Do Rodents Invade Homes?
There are few things more annoying than finding a mouse or a rat in your home. But how do these pesky critters manage to get inside in the first place? It turns out that there are a number of reasons why rodents invade homes.
One of the most common reasons is simply that they’re looking for food. If there’s a hole in your foundation or an opening in your eaves, rodents can easily slip inside in search of crumbs or spilled food.
Another reason rodents invade homes is for shelter. If it’s cold outside, or if there’s a predator nearby, rodents may try to take refuge in your attic or crawlspace.
Finally, some rodents are simply curious by nature, and they may enter your home out of curiosity or because they’re following a scent trail.
Whatever the reason, finding rodents in your home is never fun. But understanding why they’re there can help you to prevent them from coming back.
Rats in House: How Do They Get In?
Cracks & Holes
One of the most common ways that rats enter homes is through cracks in the foundation or walls. Given that rats can fit through openings as small as a quarter, it’s no wonder that they so often find their way into our homes through tiny gaps.
That’s why it’s so important to regularly inspect your home for damage and repair any cracks or holes that you find.
Chimneys
While most people are aware that rats can squeeze through tiny cracks and openings, many don’t realize that they can also enter by sneaking into chimneys. When the weather turns cold, rats will enter homes through the chimney in search of warmth and shelter.
If rats are getting in through your chimney, try installing a mesh-covered chimney cap to keep them out.
And if you’re looking for a more permanent solution, you might want to consider getting a cat. After all, there’s nothing rats hate more than a feline roommate.
Roof Damage
Did you know that roof damage can actually provide a path for rats to come into your home? That’s right – if you have rats in your attic, chances are there are holes in your roof.
So if you want to keep those pesky critters out, make sure any roof damage is repaired immediately! After all, the last thing you want is a rat problem on top of a leaky roof.
Vents
It’s no secret that rats are not the most popular house guests. Not only are they dirty and destructive, but they can also pose a serious health hazard. And while it’s often assumed that rats only enter homes through holes in the walls or floors, the truth is that they can also squeeze through vents.
That’s right – those vents that are supposed to let fresh air into your home could also be letting rats in. So if you want to keep your home rat-free, be sure to seal any gaps or holes around vents immediately. Otherwise, you might find yourself with some unwanted house guests.
Gaps Around Windows
Rats can easily enter through gaps or cracks around windows. To solve this problem, you need to seal any openings and inspect your screens for damage.
First, check for any cracks or holes around your windows. If you find any, use caulk or another sealant to fill them in. Be sure to smooth out the sealant so that the rats can’t easily gnaw their way through.
Next, inspect your window screens for any tears or holes. If you find any damage, replace the screen or patch it with a strong material like wire mesh. By taking these simple steps, you can keep rats out of your home and protect your property from damage.
How To Get Rid of Rats in the House
As any homeowner knows, a well-manicured lawn is the key to a pleasant and relaxing outdoor space. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that their neatly trimmed lawns may also be providing shelter for some unwelcome guests: rodents.
Rats and mice are known to seek out areas of tall grass, overgrown weeds, and discarded machinery as safe havens from predators. Fortunately, there is an easy way to discourage these unwanted visitors: by removing hiding places.
By keeping your lawn clear of debris and trimmed down to a reasonable height, you can make your property less appealing to rodents. In addition, regular mowing and trimming will help to create a neat and orderly appearance that rodents are sure to find uninviting.
Remove all sources of water. This means checking your yard for standing water, leaky hoses or spigots, birdbaths near the house, pet water bowls on the doorstep, and so on.
Once you’ve removed all sources of water, you need to remove all food sources as well. Clean up any leftover vegetables or fruits from gardens and don’t leave pet food out between feedings. If rodents enter your home and find nothing to eat, they are less likely to stay.
Also, clean up after cookouts and keep all outdoor trash in trash cans with tight-fitting lids.
Check your foundation for cracks or gaps, and seal them up with caulk or weatherstripping. Make sure all screens and door sweeps are in place and in good working order and install screening over vent and chimney openings. You should also check downspouts for gaps; if you find any, cover them with wire mesh.
By taking these simple steps, you’ll make it much harder for rats to get into your home – and that’s something everyone can appreciate.
Conclusion
So there you have it. If you’re seeing more rats in your house or around the yard, the most likely explanation is that they are coming from close by. There are a few things you can do to make it less inviting for them and hopefully rat-proof your home, but ultimately keeping them out will require some serious effort.
Have any tips of your own? Let us know in the comments!
