Where Do Rats Live in the Home?
No one wants to share their home with a population of rats. Unfortunately, rodent season is here and here to stay for the next few months. This is because as the temperatures dip a bit, rats and mice will look to make their way indoors for the winter. If you’re not careful, they could target your own home or business. With Rodent Awareness Week coming, it’s important to know how to protect your home from rodents this fall. Here at New Mexico Pest Control, we aim to contribute by helping our communities learn more about the threats rodents can cause to Santa Fe properties. Read on to learn more about how rodents could get in your home, and where they may be hiding.
How Did I Get a Rodent Problem?
Rodents are resilient and nifty, and are unfortunately capable of squeezing in through the tiniest of openings. In addition to squeezing in through tiny openings (small mice can fit into holes that are just 5 mm wide), one of the most common means by which rodents get indoors is by climbing. Rats are apt climbers and scale vertical walls with disturbing ease. In fact, they can climb up a number of types of walls: concrete, wood, brick, stucco, drywall, and more. Roof rats in particular are known for their climbing skills, and rats in general have a vertical leap of about 36 inches. Needless to say, this makes rodents very capable of climbing the walls of your home or trees nearby.
Rat Hiding Places Inside Your Home
If rodents get inside, where do they hide or build their nests? The 5 most common areas where rodents like to hide include:
- Attics or lofts: In your attic, rodents will shred insulation and hide in cardboard boxes.
- Kitchens: Especially in restaurants, rodents are known to harbor around appliances to stay warm.
- Laundry rooms: Similarly to kitchens, laundry rooms provide rodents with the warmth and moisture they seek.
- In the walls: When you have a bad infestation, rodents could be found in crawl spaces or wall cavities.
- Garages: Rats and mice are frequently found in residential garages amidst your stored items.
Rodent Season in New Mexico
Here in Santa Fe, rodents are a problem pest all year long. However, we definitely see a flux of activity in the fall and winter, making now the perfect time to learn how to rodent-proof your home. The easiest way of doing so is by contacting your local pest control experts. The rodent exterminators at New Mexico Pest Control can help—contact us today to learn more!
