Rats are rodents that are known to live in houses. They are attracted to food and shelter and will often build nests in attics or other hidden areas. While rats generally prefer to avoid contact with humans they will sometimes enter homes in search of food or shelter. If you think you may have rats in your house there are a few places you can look for them:
In the attic: Rats are attracted to attics because they are warm and dry. They will often build nests out of insulation or other materials. If you think you have rats in your attic you may be able to hear them scratching or scurrying around.
In the walls: Rats can squeeze through small openings so they may be able to get into your walls. You may hear them scratching or gnawing on pipes or wires.
Under the floors: If you have a rat problem you may be able to smell a musky odor coming from the floorboards. This is because rats like to urinate and defecate in their nests.
In the yard: Rats will often build burrows in the ground where they live. These burrows can be found in gardens under bushes or in other hiding places. If you think you have rats in your yard you may see them running around or diggings in the soil.
In the kitchen: Rats are attracted to food so the kitchen is a common place to find them. They may be hiding in cupboards or behind appliances. You may see rat droppings in the kitchen or find food that has been nibbled on.
In the basement: The basement is another common place to find rats. They may be hiding in storage boxes or among the clutter. You may hear them scratching or scurrying around or see rat droppings.
If you think you have rats in your house you can try to catch them yourself or call an exterminator. To catch a rat you will need a live trap baited with food. You can buy live traps at hardware stores or online. Once you have caught a rat you can release it into the wild or turn it over to animal control.
If you have rats in your house it is important to take steps to get rid of them. Rats can carry diseases and cause damage to your home. If you think you have a rat problem contact a pest control professional to get rid of the rats.
Where do rats like to hide?
Answer 1: In dark secluded places like behind cabinets inside walls and in attics.
What do rats need to gnaw on?
Answer 2: Their teeth grow continuously so they need to gnaw on hard objects to file them down.
What do rats eat?
Answer 3: Rats are omnivores and will eat almost anything but they prefer high-quality foods like meats and nuts.
How much can a rat eat in a day?
Answer 4: A rat can eat 3/4 of a pound of food per day.
How much water does a rat drink in a day?
Answer 5: A rat needs to drink about 1 ounce of water per day.
What temperature do rats like?
Answer 6: Rats are comfortable at temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do rats sweat?
Answer 7: Rats do not sweat but they do pant to regulate their body temperature.
How long can a rat go without food?
Answer 8: A rat can go without food for up to 2 weeks but will only survive for a few days without water.
How long do rats live?
Answer 9: In captivity rats typically live for 2-3 years but can live up to 5 years.
How many litters can a rat have in a year?
Answer 10: A rat can have 5-6 litters of up to 12 baby rats per year.
How long does it take for a rat to reach sexual maturity?
Answer 11: A rat can reach sexual maturity in as little as 5 weeks.
What is the average lifespan of a wild rat?
Answer 12: The average lifespan of a wild rat is only about 1 year.
What predators do rats have?
Answer 13: In the wild rats have many predators including weasels foxes owls and cats.
How do rats travel?
Answer 14: Rats can travel up to 18 miles per day in search of food and shelter.
What is the rat’s scientific name?
Answer 15: The scientific name for the rat is Rattus norvegicus.
