How Do Rats Get into Your House? Entry Points and Strategies for Removal

Homeowners often take great care in maintaining their houses to keep them comfortable and safe. However, one persistent and unwelcome guest can easily infiltrate homes – rats. These crafty rodents have a knack for finding their way into living spaces, posing as a nuisance and a potential health hazard. In this Redfin article, we’ll delve into how rats get into your house and provide valuable insights on what homeowners can do to prevent and manage rat infestations effectively. 

By understanding entry points and implementing preventative measures, you can reclaim your home from these unwanted intruders and ensure a pest-free living environment. So whether you’re dealing with unwanted guests in your home in Chicago, IL, apartment in New York, NY, or want to learn more, read on to get started.

Why do rats seek shelter in homes?

Rats seek shelter in homes primarily for three main reasons: warmth, food, and safety. These resourceful rodents are drawn to the cozy and temperature-controlled environments that houses provide, especially during colder seasons. Additionally, homes often offer a readily available food source in crumbs, food scraps, and unsecured pantry items, making them attractive for foraging. Finally, rats are naturally cautious animals, and houses offer them protection from predators and adverse weather conditions, enhancing their chances of survival. As opportunistic creatures, rats capitalize on the comforts and resources provided by human residences, which unfortunately leads to unwanted infestations if preventative measures are not in place.

Common points of entry

How do rats get into your house? Rats are small and can fit into your home’s tiniest gaps, cracks, and crevices. You’ll want to check every room in your house for these openings, so you can seal them out. Some areas in your home you should check include gaps in the foundation, walls, roof, attics, vents, etc. Here are a few professional tips on where to look. 

Roof and eaves

“Rats typically enter homes through existing openings that lead into crawl spaces and attics,” says Austin Campbell, owner of Campbell Natural Pest Control. “Most of these openings can be easily spotted if you know where to look. Up high, check the roofline and areas where conflicting roof pitches meet. If you find openings 1/2 inch or larger, it is important to seal them with rodent-proof materials such as steel wool or 1/4 inch steel mesh. Be sure to set traps inside the appropriate spaces to remove any rats that could have made it inside.”

Exterior walls

Allan Bossel, owner of MBBS, a bed bug treatment and extermination service company, shares, “I’d first look at exterior gaps and openings. Think corners of your garage, holes in your soffit ventilation, or access points where something is on the outside, such as an AC unit. You’ll also want to look at wires or pipes from the wall to the inside. These gaps in your wall should be completely sealed with silicone caulk and metal, like steel wool, or they’ll provide the perfect access point for rats.”

Foundation vents

“Rats can enter through openings as small as a quarter while mice can sneak in through openings the size of a dime,” shares Ryan Shane, the owner of Truly Nolen franchise in the North Atlanta area. “It’s important to check foundation vents, AC lines and plumbing penetrations around the foundation for some of the most common entry points.”

Drainage pipes and gutters

Drainage systems are designed to channel rainwater away from your home’s foundation, preventing water damage and maintaining structural integrity. However, if not properly maintained, these components can inadvertently create pathways for rats and other pests. Rats can gain access through damaged or poorly maintained gutters. If your gutters have cracks, holes, or disconnected sections, they may provide rats an easy route into your home.

Utility access points

Utility entry points, such as gas, water, and electrical conduits, represent potential openings that rats can exploit to infiltrate your home. These conduits provide essential services to your household, but if not adequately sealed, they can inadvertently become entryways for rats. Over time, gaps or openings may develop around utility pipes where they enter your home. Rats can exploit these gaps to gain access to the interior. Additionally, the seals or gaskets around utility pipes can degrade due to exposure to weather and environmental factors, allowing rodents to chew through or squeeze through compromised areas.

How to keep rats from getting into your home

Eliminating rats from your home requires a combination of diligence, strategic planning, and effective practices. This section will explore methods and techniques to safely and effectively rid your home of these unwanted rodent intruders.

Seal all entry points

Sam Tacher, owner of Be Gone Pest Solutions, shares, “Rodents are not only a nuisance when they gain access to our homes but also cause significant health concerns and structural issues and even can cause fires when gnawing on wiring. To properly safeguard your home, focus on sealing all potential entry points. You’ll want to use 1⁄4 inch hardware cloth, heavy-duty foam, and steel wool. These materials are the best options for sealing. If rats are inside the home, use traps in areas such as the crawl space and attic to catch and remove anything that may be sealed inside.”

Utilize traps and natural repellents

“A smart first step is to walk around your house’s perimeter and seal any visible gaps, keeping in mind that these critters can fit through incredibly tight spaces,” suggests Matan Kadoch from Envirosmart Solution. “Properly storing food, especially in garages or basements, is key. And if these unwelcome guests do sneak in? It’s time for a different strategy.”

1. Identify the problem: Check for droppings or gnaw marks.
2. Use snap traps: Position these in active zones, baiting with foods like peanut butter.
3. Avoid poison: It poses risks to other animals and may lead to rats dying in walls.
4. Natural repellents: Consider peppermint oil or crushed pepper.
5. Seek professional help: Persistent issues may require expert intervention.

Trim landscaping

Landscaping around your home is essential to rat prevention and control. Overgrown vegetation provides rodents with hiding spots and can serve as convenient pathways for them to access your home. Keep your lawn neatly mowed to prevent tall grasses where rats can hide. Regular lawn maintenance discourages rodents from establishing nests. You’ll also want to regularly prune bushes, shrubs, and trees to maintain a clean and well-kept appearance.

Secure garbage

Rats are opportunistic feeders, and an easily accessible garbage source can attract them to your property, potentially leading to infestations. Unsecured garbage provides an easy and consistent food source, encouraging them to stay and breed in the vicinity. Invest in sturdy, sealable garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. These containers make it difficult for rats to access the contents.

Maintain cleanliness

Maintaining cleanliness in and around your home is fundamental to rat prevention and control. Rats are attracted to environments with readily available food and shelter, so by keeping your living space clean and tidy, you can significantly reduce the risk of rat infestations. Establish a routine for cleaning your home. Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly to remove food debris and crumbs from floors and surfaces. You’ll also want to store food in airtight containers, including pet food. 

What if they keep coming back? 

Understanding how rats infiltrate homes and implementing effective strategies to remove them is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. Rats are resourceful creatures, capable of squeezing through surprisingly small openings, making it crucial to seal potential entry points promptly. Combining preventative measures like sealing cracks and crevices with humane removal techniques ensures a more sustainable solution to rat infestations. By following the advice in this article, homeowners can evict unwanted rodent guests and take proactive steps to prevent future incursions, promoting a safer and more comfortable living space for all.

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