There are many reasons why rats may enter into homes or other buildings. Some include:
• Seeking shelter from the cold or wet weather outside
• Searching for food or water
• Looking for a place to have babies
• Escaping from a predator
• Following a trail of food or other rats
Once rats are inside they can do a lot of damage and spread disease. They gnaw on wires and pipes which can cause fires or water damage. They also contaminate food and spread diseases like the plague rat-bite fever and salmonella.
Rats are also a huge problem for farmers. They eat and contaminate food crops which can ruin a harvest. They also carry diseases that can infect livestock.
There are many ways to prevent rats from entering your home or business. Some include:
• Keeping food in sealed containers
• Keeping trash in closed bins
• Repairing holes or cracks in walls and floors
• Eliminating sources of water and shelter
If you already have a rat problem there are many ways to get rid of them. Some include:
• Trapping
• Poisoning
• Using ultrasonic devices
• Hiring a professional exterminator
How do rats get in houses?
Most rats come into houses through holes or cracks in the foundation or where utility lines enter the house.
Once they’re inside they nest in attics wall voids crawl spaces and other undisturbed areas.
What do rats eat?
When given the opportunity rats will eat just about anything people eat.
In the wild their diet consists mostly of seeds nuts fruits and vegetables.
How much do rats weigh?
Adult rats typically weigh between 8 and 12 ounces.
How long do rats live?
Proven longevity for pet rats is about 3 to 4 years but most die much sooner.
Wild rats typically only live for about a year.
What is the difference between a rat and a mouse?
There are three main differences between rats and mice.
Rats are usually larger than mice with adults averaging 16 inches in length from nose to tail while mice average 7 to 8 inches.
Rats also have much coarser fur than mice and their tails are thicker and shorter in proportion to their bodies.
Finally rats typically have four or five litters of offspring per year while mice will have six to eight.
Where do rats live?
In the wild rats live in a variety of habitats including forests meadows prairies and even deserts.
They’re also proficient swimmers and climbers so they’re adept at making their homes in trees and other elevated areas.
Are rats dangerous?
While rats are not necessarily aggressive they can pose a threat to humans if they’re carrying diseases.
Additionally their constant gnawing can damage property and their nesting habits can lead to fires if they chew through electrical wiring.
How do rats reproduce?
Female rats reach sexual maturity at about six weeks old and can have litters of up to 12 offspring.
Males mature a bit later at about eight weeks but can father multiple litters as well.
What do baby rats look like?
Baby rats are called kittens and they’re born naked and blind.
They’re helpless at first but they grow quickly and are typically weaned and on their own within three months.
How do rats communicate?
Rats communicate primarily through scent and sound.
They use their tails to convey messages through body language and they produce a variety of sounds including squeaks clicks and whines to express themselves.
Do rats have good memories?
Yes rats have excellent memories.
They’re able to remember both positive and negative experiences and they can even recall specific details of those experiences.
Do rats feel pain?
Yes rats feel pain just like any other mammal.
They have nerve endings throughout their bodies that allow them to sense when they’re injured and they will often cry out in pain when they’re hurt.
Do rats show emotions?
Yes rats show a wide range of emotions including happiness sadness fear and anger.
They’re also capable of forming bonds with other rats and they grieve when those bonds are broken.
How intelligent are rats?
Rats are very intelligent animals.
They’re able to learn new tasks quickly and they have great memory recall.
Additionally they’re able to solve complex problems and they have a strong sense of self-awareness.
What are some common myths about rats?
There are many myths about rats but some of the most common include that they’re dirty dangerous and stupid.
However rats are actually clean animals they’re only dangerous if they’re carrying diseases and they’re incredibly intelligent.
