How Do Rats Fit Under Doors?
Rats can fit through small gaps under doors. The reason they can do this is because their bodies are designed to move through gaps. In fact, rats can move through gaps as small as 15mm in width. Luckily, you can use a strip on the bottom of the door to prevent rats from entering your house.
Rats will also squeeze through gaps in vents and openings. The size of these openings will depend on the type of wood that you have. Smaller openings will allow rats to fit, but larger ones will not. They have a natural fear of humans and cats, and will run if they see them.
Rats have small skulls, which allows them to squeeze through tiny holes. But as they grow older, their bodies will become too big to fit through these small holes. That means that their skulls are approximately the size of a quarter. This means that rats can fit through smaller holes than mice can.
You can keep rats out by keeping your doors closed and sealing gaps with a draft excluder. Rats are most active at night and are unlikely to get in through an open door during the day. Also, placing peppermint essential oil in the home will deter rats. Crushed bay leaves placed in windowsills or cabinets will help, too.