How Do Rats Burrow Into Houses?
WouterWhen rats burrow into houses, they often choose places in dark corners and underneath floorboards. They can also make nests under water pipes and rotting tile. Whether these areas are cluttered or not, rats can find the perfect place for a nest. If you suspect a rat infestation, it’s important to act immediately.
A few simple measures will help you get rid of rats and their burrows. First, block off the entrance. Then, fill up the burrow with dirt or steel wool. Make sure to change it every 3 to 4 days to avoid a terrible smell. You can also spray the area with a garden hose to remove the odor from the area.
If you find a hole, inspect it carefully for rat activity. Rats usually leave droppings where they go and have gnaw marks on wood and other materials. Also, you should look for grease tracks on walls near the burrow entrance. A rat’s burrow is usually made of two to three inches of dirt with a main entrance that is two to four inches wide and about three feet long. Most rats build larger burrows near concrete slabs and house foundations.
Rats usually establish new burrows in the summer or fall. The holes are deep and can have several entrances. If a barrier is present, the burrows may get deeper. Rats usually burrow in dense ground vegetation and low shrubbery. Although their burrows rarely go deeper than 18 inches, they can sometimes reach as deep as the foundations of houses. They often have alternative exits, disguised with dirt.
