3 Common Items That May Be Attracting Rats to Homes

3 Common Items That May Be Attracting Rats to Homes

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Rats do not differ from any other wildlife, in the sense they want shelter and survival. Where rodents differ from most other animals is their innate ability to infiltrate protected spaces, such as houses. Once they build a nest, you will need to trust rat removal to professionals.  Rodents reproduce much quicker than other wildlife. Female rats give birth to six litters per year. Each litter averages between five and 10 pups. Babies reach sexual maturity within nine weeks, meaning a population of two weeks can swell to over 1,000 within a single year.  It is best to avoid an initial invasion of rats. Homeowners can do several practical things to limit the risks of rodents entering their house, but they first need to understand what draws the animal to their dwelling. 

1. Food

The primary attraction to your home is food. All wildlife desire to find an abundant and reliable food source and your house presents a cornucopia.  You must remember that rodents are relatively tiny creatures and require little feed. An average adult rat needs only between 15 to 20 grams of food per day, about 60 calories. Crumbs strewn about a pantry or pet food left in dishes provide plenty of nutritional substance for rats.  Your house is not an inescapable cage. Rodents will often leave your home to find food elsewhere, if necessary. Do you have bird feeders in your yard? The seeds that fall to the ground are an excellent meal for rodents.  Part of keeping rats away from your property is ensuring the grounds are clean and free of food. Wildlife control in Ottawa suggests homeowners make vacuuming a routine, sweep the patio every day, and store excess pet food in airtight containers. 

2. Warmth

Your home also presents a warm and dry shelter. Wildlife spends most of their lives seeking and building nests or dens that protect them against the elements. A house offers a roof, walls, warmth in the winter, and coolness in the summer. Why wouldn't an animal want to find a way inside?  Aside from a temperate and dry space, a home offers security. Rats can squeeze through small openings that most other predators cannot, meaning they can often find a way into your house that other animals cannot follow. Like most living things, rats seek security and protection against threats. Unfortunately, your house is the perfect nesting site.  The most effective way of keeping rats outside is sealing your property. Rats can fit through openings as small as a bottle cap. An average homeowner will have difficulty finding all potential entry points around their house, so hiring a wildlife control professional to assess your property is wise. 

3. Leaking Pipes

Besides food and shelter, there is one other essential to sustaining life: water. Like all animals, rats need water to survive. Unlike larger animals, rats do not need a lot of water. The average adult rat only consumes about one ounce or 30 ml of water per day.  Rats can often find enough water in a house by finding or creating small leaks in water lines. A consistent drip will provide enough water for several rats, which is why annual or biannual plumbing inspections are essential to home maintenance.  When assessing a house, make sure your plumber of choice uses a thermal camera to inspect cold spots in the walls. Cold spots often appear because of water leaks.  If you suspect rats or any wildlife problem, a trained wildlife technician is the go-to professional. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to schedule a property assessment. The company will send a certified professional to inspect your property and suggest service solutions.

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Bill Dowd

About the author: Bill Dowd is the Founder, President, and CEO of Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. He established Skedaddle in 1989, recognizing the need for professional urban wildlife focusing on humane removal methods. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control have since had over 200,000 wildlife removals and exclusions with environment-friendly, poison-free methods since day one. Bill obtained his B.PhEd., from Brock University while playing varsity hockey. Bill also played hockey for the Ottawa 67’s and was drafted by the then Stanley Cup Champion New York Islanders. Bill has grown Skedaddle to the largest urban wildlife control company in Canada which currently services over 75 municipalities in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. Bill has also been a guest speaker for many municipalities and educational institutions on urban wildlife.

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