Here Are Things Attracting Rats into Your Home
Rats are common rodents in most houses, but nobody loves them. The only bad thing is that they come with diseases and fleas and destroy items in the house. You don’t wish to find rats on your kitchen island or inside the cookie cabinet. On top of that, rats even damage the insulation in your attic, causing a spike in your energy bills. Mostly, you will find rats in the attic, basement, crawlspaces, and walls. However, they may extend to the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. As a mom, dealing with rats is crucial to keeping your house clean and free of allergens and diseases. However, do you know why rats are attracted to your house? The following are things that could be attracting these unpleasant rodents into your home.
Food
Food is one of the main things that attract rats into your home. Remember, rats don’t pick what they eat. So, they will eat literally any food they find in the house. When you leave bread crumbs or uncovered food in the kitchen, it attracts the rats in the attic or outside. The best way to avoid rats in your kitchen and on food is to clean the kitchen once you are done with activities. Remove any food residue that may tempt the rodents. If you have leftovers, ensure you store them in sealed bags or containers and lock them in the cabinet.
Vegetation
Vegetation also attracts rats, just like food. Therefore, if you have nuts, tomatoes, or fruits in the house, you might start experiencing a rat problem. You could also facilitate the infestation if you have a garden near the window, the patio, or the kitchen. So, it might mean getting rid of the vegetation near the house if you start noticing a rat problem. If not, install screens around the patio to deter the rodents. Additionally, if you have a tree close to the roof with ripe fruits or nuts, you could give easier access to the roof and gutters. So, trim down the branches hanging on the roof to make it hard for the rodents to climb into the roof and eventually into the interior.
Shelter
During seasons like winter, rats look for warm places for shelter and nesting, and your house may be their perfect option. They can find their way into the attic and bring hay, straws, leaves, and other materials to create a cozy nest. Avoid leaving rooms in a mess to prevent creating a favorable environment for rats to thrive. Remove papers and soft materials that may encourage rats to stay in your house. Declutter and organize every part of your house, including your storage room, because rats hate tidy places. If you already have a rat problem, search for “reliable, certified pest control near me” to get professionals to deal with the infestation. Remember, keeping every room tidy and organized is one way of ensuring rats don’t find good places to shelter.
Water
Water is another major rat attraction. You could attract rodents if you have leaking pipes in the house or the basement. Rats look for water inside homes when the external sources run dry. Therefore, your dripping faucets and pipes could be calling rats from afar. Hence, always ensure no drippy taps or pipes in the house. Maintain your fixtures and remove dampness in the basement, attic, and kitchen. You can call a professional plumber to fix the leaks so rats cannot find places to get the water. Clear your pets’ dishes and birdbaths in your yard.
Animal Products
As mentioned earlier, rats eat almost anything. They will gnaw on the soap, furniture, your leather couch, and anything else made from animals or plants. Therefore, if you have items made from original animal or plant products, you may have a rat problem when the resources outside are scarce. If you have animal or plant products like seeds, keep them away in a thick glass container. Storing them in a plastic container will not be effective since the rats will gnaw at the plastic. Ensure you also keep these products away from food.
Last Words
If you are dealing with rats in your house, it could be because the things mentioned above attract them. Therefore, use the suggested ways to prevent rats from coming to your house. If you think it is a big problem, consider hiring pest control experts near you to remove the rodents permanently. It will provide peace of mind and prevent disease and allergens in your home.
