Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? You might be if you live in an area with a high rat population. Rats can squeeze through some pretty tight spaces and they’re not shy about entering homes and other buildings in search of food and shelter.
Rats are able to squeeze through gaps as small as 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) which means they can enter your home through holes and cracks in the foundation walls and ceilings. They can also climb up drainpipes and other vertical surfaces to gain access to your roof. Once inside rats will make themselves at home nesting in your insulation chewing on your wires and leaving droppings everywhere they go.
If you think you might have rats in your home it’s important to take action right away. Rats can carry a number of diseases including the potentially deadly hantavirus so it’s not worth taking the chance that they’ll just go away on their own. Call a pest control professional to discuss your options for getting rid of these unwanted visitors.
Can a rat squeeze through a crack in a wall?
Yes rats can squeeze through cracks in walls.
How big does a rat have to be in order to squeeze through a crack in a wall?
A rat only needs to be about the size of a quarter in order to squeeze through a crack in a wall.
What if the crack in the wall is too small for a rat to fit through?
If the crack in the wall is too small for a rat to fit through the rat will either try to make the opening bigger or will find another way into the building.
Do rats like to squeeze through cracks in walls?
Rats generally like to have many different ways to enter and exit a building so that they can easily escape if necessary.
How do rats get into buildings?
Rats can get into buildings through holes in the foundation cracks in the walls or gaps around doors and windows.
How do I know if I have rats in my walls?
You may have rats in your walls if you hear scratching noises coming from the walls see rat droppings near holes in the walls or notice damage to your walls or insulation.
How do I prevent rats from getting into my walls?
You can prevent rats from getting into your walls by sealing up any holes or cracks in the foundation walls or around doors and windows.
What do rats eat?
Rats are omnivorous meaning that they will eat both plants and animals.
In the wild rats will eat seeds fruits insects and small animals.
In urban areas rats will eat garbage pet food and birdseed.
What is the average lifespan of a rat?
The average lifespan of a rat is 2-3 years.
Do rats carry diseases?
Yes rats can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans such as the bubonic plague salmonella and Hantavirus.
Is it harmful to have rats in my walls?
Yes it can be harmful to have rats in your walls because they can cause damage to your home and may also transmit diseases to you and your family.
How do I get rid of rats in my walls?
If you have rats in your walls you can try to trap them and remove them yourself or you can contact a professional pest control company.
Will rats come back after I get rid of them?
If you do not take steps to prevent rats from getting back into your home then it is likely that they will come back.
What are some ways to prevent rats from getting into my home?
Some ways to prevent rats from getting into your home include sealing up holes and cracks in the foundation walls or around doors and windows and removing food sources that may attract them.
What should I do if I see a rat in my home?
If you see a rat in your home try to keep calm and avoid disturbing it.
If possible gently close the door to the room that it is in and contact a professional pest control company.
