What Attracts Rats to Your Property & How to Prevent It
Rats are highly adaptable pests that can quickly make themselves at home—especially when your property unknowingly offers them everything they need. At Rats Pest Control Perth, we often find that rat infestations begin because of simple oversights that create a perfect environment for rodents to thrive.
In this blog, we’ll explain the top things that attract rats to Perth homes and businesses—and how you can prevent an infestation before it starts.
1. Easy Access to Food
Rats are scavengers with a sharp sense of smell. Any accessible food source will attract them, including:
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Unsealed pantry items like cereal, rice, or pet food
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Crumbs on kitchen floors and benches
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Open rubbish bins indoors or outdoors
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Bird seed or pet bowls left out overnight
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Compost bins with food scraps
Prevention Tip:
Store all food in airtight containers, clean up spills promptly, and ensure rubbish bins are sealed with tight-fitting lids.
2. Shelter and Warmth
Rats love quiet, dark, and warm places—especially in winter. Roof voids, garages, sheds, and cluttered storage spaces are ideal nesting areas. Overgrown gardens, wood piles, and even disused furniture in the backyard can also offer shelter.
Prevention Tip:
Declutter storage spaces, avoid leaving items stacked against the house, and trim vegetation near walls or fences.
3. Leaking Water Sources
Like all animals, rats need water to survive. They’ll seek out dripping taps, leaking pipes, pet water bowls, or even condensation from air conditioning units. Roof gutters clogged with water and organic debris can also attract them.
Prevention Tip:
Repair leaks, cover pet bowls at night, and keep gutters clear of standing water.
4. Entry Points and Gaps
Even the smallest hole can be an entry point. Rats can squeeze through gaps as small as a 10-cent coin. Cracks in walls, gaps under doors, broken roof tiles, and unsealed vents provide easy access.
Prevention Tip:
Inspect your home regularly. Seal all holes and gaps with steel mesh or caulk. Install door sweeps and screens on vents.
5. Neglected Outdoor Areas
A messy backyard or garden offers both food and shelter. Overgrown plants, fallen fruit, compost, and pet waste are all attractions for rats. They also love nesting in sheds and under decking.
Prevention Tip:
Maintain a tidy yard. Remove food sources, store firewood off the ground, and keep garden beds away from the house walls.
When to Call in the Experts
If you’ve seen signs like droppings, gnawed materials, or heard scratching noises at night, the infestation may have already started. DIY methods can offer temporary relief, but won’t solve the issue at its source.
For safe and thorough treatment, it’s best to rely on licensed experts in rodent control Perth.
Protect Your Property with Rats Pest Control Perth
Don’t wait for rats to take over. The team at Rats Pest Control Perth offers comprehensive inspections, safe treatment plans, and prevention strategies to keep your home or business rodent-free year-round.
Worried your property is attracting rats?
Contact Rats Pest Control Perth today for expert advice and proven rodent control Perth solutions.
