How Deep Can Rats Burrow Underground?
WouterRats can make their homes underground for several reasons. If they can’t get into your home or have nowhere to live, they can burrow underground. Rats can fit through small spaces of about one inch or less. Consequently, you need to keep them out. You can do this by blocking their access to food and water. You can also fill the burrow with soil and add stones to keep them out. Another option is to place netting over the entrance to keep them out. But be aware that netting will not work as effectively if the rats have an active burrow.
Rats usually burrow in dense ground vegetation or low shrubbery. Usually, they won’t go deeper than 18 inches, but they can dig deeper if they feel like it is safer. If they feel there’s food on the other side of the hole, they may dig even deeper.
Rats like dark and close spaces. The best place to find a burrow is in a garden or backyard. Rats prefer cultivated soil because it’s easier for them to dig into. Rats also like to keep their burrow entrances hidden. You can spot them by looking for a small hole about eight centimeters in diameter. Next to the hole, you might also find a small heap of excavated soil and regular path tracks.
Rats’ burrows usually have a two to four-inch entrance. The dirt surrounding the entrance will be loose or compact. The burrow may be divided into living areas and food storage areas. Rats often have one or two exit holes to escape predators. These are often more difficult to spot than the main entrance, and they are usually hidden under a small object.
