Rats can quickly become unwelcome guests in your home if they find the opportunity. In addition to the number of diseases they carry, they can also cause extensive damage to your home and property.
The best way to take on a rat infestation is to keep them from entering your home in the first place. Rodents can easily enter through very small openings — rats can squeeze through a hole only 3/4 inch in diameter. Often, people don’t realize they have a rat problem until the rats are already inside and can be heard in the attic or scratching in walls. Sometimes the first clue is damaged electrical wiring or pipes, or food that’s been raided in the pantry.
If you suspect rats but haven’t seen one, look for other signs like brown smudges on walls or objects (from rat grease) and droppings in drawers, cabinets, or along travel routes.
Once you determine you have a rat problem, seal off entry points first. After your home is secure, you can begin trapping. Here are 5 common entry points to check:
1. Cracks in walls
Inspect the exterior of your home for gaps and holes. Fill small holes with caulk, and use steel wool or a waterproof sealant for larger openings.
2. Vents
Many vents have openings a rat can squeeze through, or gaps around the vent itself. Seal around the vent and cover it with secure metal screening.
3. Gaps around windows
Rats can enter through small cracks around window frames. Seal any openings and make sure window screens don’t have holes.
4. Holes in the roof
If you hear rats in the attic, have the roof checked. Rats can use small gaps at roof corners or chew ridge cap plugs. Seal openings with a waterproof sealant.
5. Chimney
Chimneys are easy access points for a rat looking for warmth and food. Have the chimney cleaned to remove nesting materials and install a grate or cap to deter rats.
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These are just the most common weak spots — but keep an eye out for any area a rat could chew through. Their teeth are strong enough to get through water pipes, wood, plastic, and even brick. Loose or cracked brickwork should be repaired so rats can’t gnaw their way into walls.
If you have a garage, reduce the gap at the bottom of the door. Once rats get in, they can damage vehicles, wiring, water heaters, and stored items. Garage door brush strips help block them out.
Basements are another favorite: dark, quiet, and often full of things to chew. Protect floor drains with screens or grates and, yes, keep the toilet lid closed — rats are good swimmers and can occasionally emerge through pipes.
Most of these prevention steps are simple and inexpensive, and they go a long way toward keeping your home rat-free.
The A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse Trap is a great preventative tool, giving you 24 self-resetting strikes in a safe, non-toxic, certified quick-kill system.