Do Rats Have Natural Enemies?

If rats are a pest in your home, you may be wondering whether they have natural enemies. The answer is yes, but you need to understand that some of these creatures can be very dangerous. Many of them are carnivorous and are very aggressive. In addition to their natural enemies, these creatures may also consume your pet.

There are many birds that hunt rats. Large birds of prey, such as owls, are known to regularly prey on rats. These predators hunt rats during the day, which is when rats are active. Various snake species also feed on rats. While a lot of these predators can be dangerous to humans, they can be very beneficial for the rat population.

Another factor in determining if rats have natural enemies is their environment. Researchers studied a free-living colony of Norway rats on a farm outside of Warsaw, Poland. The size of the colony was estimated at between forty and fifty individuals. The rats were not marked and no pest control had been done on the farm for the previous five years.

Rats are drawn to food and shelter. While food attracts them, you need to make sure you keep out foods that are toxic to rats. For example, baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas that the rats ingest and causes internal ruptures or blockages.