How to Find a Rat Entrance
When you have rats in your home or business, rat traps are only a temporary solution. You may get rid of some of the rats that are currently in your home, but you have not addressed the underlying problem: Somewhere on your property there is a hole or entry point for the rats, and once one rat has entered, more will eventually follow.
The most effective rat control uses both rodent trapping and a process known as exclusion: blocking potential entrances. This is a process you can do on your own if you have the patience and ability to search the interior and exterior of your property, or you can trust it to an experienced rodent control company in NYC.
Where Rats Get into Buildings in NYC
Rats are resourceful pests that will get into homes through any possible means in order to get to the food inside. Any opening or crack can serve as an entrance.
To start your search, some of the places where rats most often get into NYC buildings are:
- Cracks in the Walls
- Holes in the Roof
- Chimneys
- Spaces Around Windows
- Vents
- Drainpipes
Although they may not always be present, a hole that a rat is using as an entrance might have signs, such as droppings around it, or black smudges where the oil from the rat’s skin has transferred onto the surface. Chew marks can be another sign. But since not all rodent entrance points will have these easily visible signs, a thorough inspection is your best bet.
Also, keep in mind that although a rat can seem large when you catch it running along your baseboards, the average rat can squeeze through a space that is ¾” wide. This makes finding their entry point a challenge even when you know what to look for.
If you have been unable to stop rodents from getting into your home – or if you would rather leave all rodent control to the professionals – our pest professionals at Animal Control NYC can help. We work with residential and commercial properties throughout NYC to identify rat entrances and seal them up. Call our team at the first sign of rats in your building.
