The masked marauders of the animal world they ll barge down chimneys and into open garages or attic vents.
Rats entering home from fascia to under the roof.
Bar them from entering with hardware cloth.
Check every vent gable vents roof vents ground level crawl space vents even the laundry vent.
And because they can chew through most materials you ll need to know what materials you can use to seal holes and small entrances to your home.
One effective material you can use because in trying to chew through it it cuts the rats mouths is diamond mesh used on stucco wall coverings.
It s the 1 spot for rat entry.
If they get into the house from underneath or from a ground level opening they can just scamper up the wall and into the attic.
Check all doors and windows.
They are small and can crawl around.
It s just a wide open spot and rats only need like a half inch to squeeze their way in.
To make an ideal home roof rats need food water and a cozy nesting site so clean out wood piles rake up fallen vegetation and fruit and do not leave pet food or water outside especially overnight.
Rats can often enter through small gaps created by the room corner intersection.
They can also chew ridge cap plugs.
Take down the bird feeders that are attracting them to your property.
They may also fit through doors windows air vents or screens that are improperly installed or ill fitting.
Roof rats can enter homes and structures through openings as small as half an inch.
Pop the engine cover thats under the hood as in most cars not mechanically fastened.
See that area where an eave meets up against the roof.
No home builders or roofers ever seal that area.
Any openings should be blocked with a waterproof sealant.
Rats like the the spongy foam insulation material used in cars.
Battling rat s under the hood of my jeep.
However they can also get into the attic from pretty much anywhere.
To prevent rats from entering your home seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter.
You can greatly reduce the ease of entry for rodents and reduce the size of the population by taking the following measures.
The louvered vents for dryer exhausts and the openings behind roof fascia are perennial favorites.
Rats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter.
And if your roof meets the gutter at the edge sometimes roofers just leave a gap there between the roof and fascia board.