What Size Mesh Can Rats Get Through?
WouterThere are a few methods to block rat access. One method is to use a wire mesh seal. These are affixed around any points of ingress, such as floor drains and fan openings. You can seal these with silicone adhesive or self-tapping screws.
The wire mesh seal should be made of a thick enough wire to discourage the Rats from chewing through it. The thickness of the wire will depend on the material used. Stainless steel wire is stronger than galvanised steel, so rats find it difficult to chew through it. A stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.56 mm is considered thick enough to stop rats from chewing through it.
Another method of preventing rats from infiltrating a structure is to install a curtain wall. This can be made of concrete or installed on existing structures. Alternatively, a hardware cloth covered with a band of sheet metal can also be used to prevent burrowing rodents. Which one to use depends on how long you plan to keep the structure. Wire mesh is cheaper, but it will not be effective for more than five or 10 years.
Rats are particularly good at squeezing through small holes. Their bodies are long and cylindrical, and their long whiskers help them determine the size of the holes they can fit through. The skeleton of a rat is similar to that of a ferret or an eel. Its body is long and cylindrical with a pointed head. Its skull and skeletal structure are designed to push through small spaces.
