Norway rats are simple creatures, but they can still surprise us. We all know that when they enter the home, they are looking for food and shelter for the most part. However, there are some unexpected things on a property which may draw the rats’ attention.
Pet Food
Norway rats love pet food. After all, what’s not to love? It is food specifically designed to be attractive and nutritious for animals, and it contains everything a rat needs – including flavoring, protein, carbs, and fats. So you have to be careful if you have pets in the home. Make sure that you clean out their bowls after every meal and that you keep your pet food safely sealed.
Compost and Garbage
Rats are very dirty animals, and they have no problem rummaging through trash in order to find food, even if that food is spoiled. Rats are also drawn to compost, where they can find food and shelter. So you have to be careful with your waste disposal, and make sure that you keep your waste in sealed or lidded containers.
Leaky Pipes
Leaky pipes are a major draw for numerous pests, including rats. Rats love these pipes because they provide a constant source of clean water. Clogged gutters may also serve as a draw, so you have to make sure that there is no source of excess moisture in or around the home if you do not want to draw the rats’ attention.
Indoor Plants
We all love indoor plants, but some may actually attract rats from the outdoors. Fruits and nuts are staples of the Norway rat diet, so if you have any fruit plants or nut trees outdoors or even indoors, rats could pay you a visit. On the other hand, there are plants that are repellent to rats, and very pleasant to us, plants such as mint or lavender.
Keeping rats out of the home may be a little more complicated than we first expect, but if you do seal all your food and repair the exterior of the home so that there are no cracks or openings, you will be able to stop around 80% of Norway rat infestation attempts. If an infestation has already started however, you will need the help of a pro to get it under control. This is where we can help you. Contact us today if you have any questions about Norway rat prevention, or if you have an infestation that needs to be removed.