When Will a Released Rat Come Back?
WouterA rat that has been trapped and released into a new territory will likely die after a few weeks. This is because it will have to compete with its new peers for food and water. In addition, it will have difficulty finding suitable nesting areas and water sources. Eventually, it will starve, suffer exposure, or be killed by a predator.
When you release a rat, you need to be sure it has at least 500 m from its original location before releasing it into the wild. Otherwise, it may develop a condition called hypothermia, which means it’s too cold. In addition, rats are neophobic, meaning they fear new objects and environments. If you fail to properly release the rat, it could die of starvation and dehydration. It might even be eaten by predators.
If you release a rat into a populated area, other homes nearby may be at risk. This doesn’t apply if you release the rat in a remote location, since rat populations live in secluded areas with little to no human population. The best way to avoid this situation is to make sure that your home is rat-proof. This means making sure that holes and gaps are properly sealed.
You must keep in mind that rats can carry infectious diseases. Besides, they may leave behind traces of fungus and infection. This is why it’s so important to disinfect your home after removing a rat.
