What attracts rats to your house? Rats are unwelcome visitors you definitely don’t want to find in your home. These pesky pests can also cause damage and spread sickness. Fortunately, you will be able to keep rats from making a home in your place by knowing and getting rid of things that can attract them to your house.
What Attracts Rats to Your House?
In this section, you will find out 6 items that attract rats into your home. If they find a place with any of these things, they’ll probably try really hard to get inside.
1. All Kinds of Food
Rats eat whatever they can find. They are fairly opportunistic critters and always looking for food. So if there is open garbage or leftover food on a kitchen counter, it becomes a big meal for them. We detailed the top food that really attracts rats.
Outside, rats eat veggies, fruits, nuts, and grains. But inside homes, they go for things like rice, oats, and cereal in boxes or thin bags. They will even munch on pet food left out. Some rats switch to a high-protein diet, hunting insects like cockroaches, meat scraps, and even smaller rodents like mice.
2. Warm and Cozy Places
Just like humans, rats like to be warm and comfy, especially in cold winter months. When they have babies, they need warm spots too. Experts found that winter is the prime time for rodent control since rats are more likely to squeeze into your home during this period – The Providence Journal.
Houses have fireplaces and heaters that make them nice and warm, so rats really like that. They will work hard to get into warm houses and make nests near heaters and other machines. But this can be bad because it might break the machines or cause them to stop working.
3. Pet Waste Waste in Uncovered Trash Bins
What attracts rats to your house is also pet waste. Rats like to eat all kinds of food, even the kind that pets have already eaten. If you have a dog that plays in the yard, make sure to clean up their poop right away. If the yard smells bad, you can spray water on the smelly spots to make the smell go away. Leaving garbage cans open is like giving rats an invitation to a feast.
Make sure to close all the trash cans and bins near your house so that rats can’t get in. Also, remember to regularly empty the trash cans inside your house.
4. Water Sources Such as Dripping Pipes
Even tiny water leaks from pipes might not seem important, but they can give rats a regular water supply. Rats are also drawn to other things with water, like pet bowls and birdbaths.
You can stop these pests from coming into your home because of water by making sure to repair any pipes and hoses around your house. Change dripping sprinklers and faucets so rats won’t have a reason to make a home in your house.
5. Fruit Trees, Indoor Plants, and More Greenery
Rats eat fruits and seeds too, having plants indoors and fruit trees in your yard can attract them. Therefore, plants in your yard qualify as what attracts rats to your house. Trees with branches reaching the roof can also let roof rats get into your attic.
These plants not only give rats food and a way in but also materials for making nests. Rats outside usually use grass and twigs for their nests. When they come inside, they can bring these materials to make a comfy nest.
6. Disarray and Alternate Nesting Supplies
For rats, having lots of stuff around is almost as important as having food. This stuff helps them hide from bigger animals like cats that might want to catch them.
Rats like to make their homes in places with food nearby and places where they can stay hidden. Places like attics, sheds, garages, and basements are great for them. So, be careful and check these spots for rat nests.
Rats usually use things they find to build their nests. If you see a piece of paper with chewed edges, it’s likely that rats took it to build their nests.
How to Keep Rats Out of Your Home
Now that you know what attracts rats to your house, it is time to do what is needed to make sure that these rodents leave and do not come into your home anymore.
1. Store Food in Containers
Avoid leaving food out on your counters or tables, especially at night. Always put food in closed containers to stop rats from smelling it and coming in. Remember, rats might still chew through cardboard, plastic, and paper to reach the food. Keeping food sealed is a step you can take to prevent rats from entering your home.
2. Use Secure Lids on Trash Cans
When you spot a rat outside, it’s likely looking for food in trash bags. Now picture that rat sneaking into the trash bins near your garage.
Using trash cans with secure lids is really important to stop rats from getting into your home in the winter. Both the bins outside and the ones in your kitchen should have lids to prevent these rodents from finding food.
3. Seal Entry Points
Rats are clever creatures that can squeeze through tight spots. They even chew through vents, walls, and doors to get into homes. Their strong jaws have a lot of power – 6,000 pounds per square inch!
Check your Montgomery County home for bite marks, holes, or spaces rats might use to come inside during winter. If you would rather not search for rats in your house, your local skilled technicians can do a complete inspection.
4. Fix Dripping Pipes
Before you finish, take a look at your plumbing. Make sure all your pipes are tight and there are no leaks. Check the basement and under every sink in your home. If you spot a leak, get your toolbox and fix it. This will stop water puddles from attracting rats.
Contact Your Local Pest Management at the First Hint of Rat Problem
Knowing what attracts rats to your house and taking DIY measures may not permanently resolve rat infestation. So, if you suspect an infestation, have your local professionals humanely remove them from your home. Rats can multiply fast, so get rid of them early. When you see chewed items, missing food, and rat droppings, reach out to an expert pest remover right away.
Read also: Can Rats Chew Through Concrete?
