Rats are persistent, determined creatures that can find their way into homes and buildings, causing damage and presenting health hazards. If you have a rat problem, it’s important to understand what’s attracting them so you can remove food sources, shelter, water, and other enticements.
Food Sources That Attract Rats
Like any animal, rats need food and water to survive. They especially seek out food sources high in protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Some of the most common food items that attract rats to properties include:
- Pet food bowls left out overnight
- Fallen bird seed from feeders
- Compost piles
- Fresh garden produce
- Grains, cereals, pasta, etc. in poorly sealed containers
- Grease drippings and other cooking waste
- Open bags of garbage
- Animal feed, livestock grain, chicken coops, etc.
- Fruit that has fallen from trees
- Uncovered beehives
Rats are able to chew into many materials, so even sealed bags and boxes are vulnerable. Any food items that are readily available outdoors or in accessible indoor areas can draw rats looking for an easy meal.
Places That Offer Shelter
In additional to plentiful food, rats seek places to build nests and take shelter. They prefer locations that are warm, dark, and secluded. Common shelter spots attractive to rats include:
- Wood piles, lumber, and debris
- Dense vegetation like ivy, shrubs, and thick ground cover
- Burrows and holes
- Spaces under decks, porches, sheds, and other structures
- Crawl spaces, attics, and basements
- Cluttered garages and storage rooms
- Between walls and floorboards
- Under appliances and furniture
Rats are adept climbers and can squeeze into very tight spaces. They will exploit any area on your property that provides protection and seclusion for nesting and breeding.
Open Access to Water Sources
Like all living creatures, rats cannot survive long without water. They need daily access to water in order to stay hydrated. Possible water sources that may attract rats include:
- Pet water bowls
- Leaky outdoor faucets and irrigation lines
- Standing puddles and water collection areas
- Poor drainage areas near condensation air conditioning units
- Clogged rain gutters
- Sewer leaks
- Uncovered window wells and stairwells
- Fountains and ponds
- Seasonal streams and drainage ditches
Rats are resourceful and flexible when it comes to accessing water. They can surface drink, use raindrops on leaves, and even get water from moist foods. But open availability of water from the sources listed above can be a strong lure.
How to Make Your Property Less Appealing
If you currently have issues with rats on your property, make your land and structures less hospitable by taking the following steps:
- Clear brush, woodpiles, junk, and other shelter-friendly clutter.
- Seal crawl spaces, holes, and access points with wire mesh, caulk, concrete, hardware cloth, etc.
- Install well-fitting screens on windows and vents.
- Keep pet food and water inside, especially overnight.
- Routinely clean up fallen fruit/produce from trees and gardens.
- Use metal trash cans with tight lids and empty frequently.
- Ensure irrigation systems do not leak and allow standing water.
- Repair leaky pipes, gutters, and condensation drip areas.
- Keep compost in closed, rot-resistant bins.
- Store human and pet foods in chew-proof sealed containers.
Making your home and yard less rat-friendly involves an ongoing process of keeping things clean, dry, and contained. It also requires excluding them physically with barriers, screens, and sealed entry points.
Conclusion
Rats seek the essentials of readily available food, water sources, and shelter. By limiting access to these key elements through good sanitation and rodent-proofing tactics, you can help make your property unattractive and unwelcoming to rats looking for their next home. Implementing these best practices requires diligence but is worthwhile to deter destructive and potentially dangerous rats.