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What attracts rats?
There are a great number of things that could potentially be attracting rats to your home. At the same time, these
things could also attract a wide range of other wild critters, from the smallest (like insects) to some of the biggest
(like raccoons, skunks, opossums, etc.).
An animal needs three things to stay alive - a source of food, a source of water, and a source of shelter / warmth. That's all
they're looking for in life. Oh, and a mate, of course, but we all know what rats are like. They're not overly picky, they'll
breed with their own brothers and sisters, and they breed at a rate that is so fast, most humans wouldn't comprehend it. A female
can have up to five litters in one single year, and she can fall pregnant as soon as she has had her last litter. Each litter contains
about 5 - 10 baby rats, and each ‘group' of rats usually has more than one female in a hierarchy, going hand in hand with the many male
rats (who can also ejaculate multiple times to get as many females pregnant as possible).
Rats generally tend to follow a source of food. There are many food items around your home, despite you not seeing them, and once rats
have spotted that your home offers what it needs, it's going to try damned hard to break in. Nine times out of ten, if you have not
maintained your home correctly, that rat will succeed, many more following in its footsteps.
Take a peek around your home. What could potentially be drawing these rats in? Are you leaving food out for other animals - your cat or
dog perhaps, or maybe even a bird feeder? Just for the record, it won't be long before squirrels have a go at your bird feeder, if they
haven't already.
Any food sources should be cleared up or stored away. Trash cans should be metal and with a lid. This stops rats and other animals, such as
raccoons, from getting in. If you secure the lid down with thick cords, the larger animals won't even be able to knock the trash can over to
get to the goodies inside.
Make sure that BBQ's are cleaned and tidied away as soon as you have finished using them. Don't leave cat and dog food around, or any other
food for that matter. Rabbit food, chicken feed, anything can attract these rodents, and once they're in, they're in. You're going to need to
work very hard to get rid of them again.
Mess and debris can often draw rats in. These provide a source of shelter against predators, and also against harsh and cold weather too. Rats
in the wild are well known for burrowing, and they seem to particularly enjoy doing it underneath your home and porches, and also under rock piles,
log piles, mounds of garden debris, and more. If you keep a clean and tidy home, and a clean and tidy garden, you will be less inclined to attract a
wandering rat who is looking for somewhere cozy to set up home.
Trim trees back so that they don't lead right to your roof. Make sure damage is repaired immediately. Fill holes around plumbing with a mixture of
steel / copper wire wool and the expanding foam you're using, adding an extra-strength layer of protecting to ensure the rats in your garden don't
manage to get into your home. Do your due diligence as a homeowner and you will find that you won't have rats. Neglect your home and it is likely
that you will.
For more rat information, visit our rat removal tips page, or for more specific how-to instructions, read the how to get rid of rats page with 6 step-by-step instructions.
If you have a problem with rats above your ceiling in your house, read my rats in the attic guide. The most important part of rat control is sealing shut entry holes into the building, but after
you've done that, you'll want to know how to kill rats humanely to complete the rat control job. If you need to hire professional help in your city, click on my directory of over
200 rat removal companies servicing 95% of the USA. we can help your with your rat problem!
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