Are you hearing rustling noises in your walls or finding small droppings in hidden corners? These could be the signs that rats have managed to infiltrate your home. Rats are notorious for finding their way into properties through tiny gaps, causing damage and posing health risks. In this blog post, we’ll uncover how rats typically get inside through common service areas and how Swanland Pest Control can help you keep your home rodent-free.

Common Rat Entry Points in Your Home

Rats are extremely skilled at squeezing through even the smallest of openings. A rat can fit through a gap as small as 20mm, which is about the size of a 50p coin! Let’s take a look at some of the most common entry points rats use to access homes:

1. Underneath and Behind Sinks
One of the most common places where rats enter is through gaps left around pipe entry points beneath or behind your sinks. The dark, hidden space is the perfect gateway into your kitchen, where they can search for food. Make sure to seal these gaps to deter them.

2. Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands can be an ideal spot for them. Plumbing and electrical lines run through these areas, and the warmth and complexity of pipes create an appealing environment for rodents. Any gaps in your flooring or cabinetry provide rats with easy access.

3. Wall Cavities
They are adept climbers, and they love using wall cavities to move throughout a property. Likewise entry points at the exterior of your house, especially where services like cables and pipes penetrate, can give them direct access to your wall cavities. This route allows them to navigate through your home undetected.

4. Gaps Around Utility Lines
Gas lines, electrical wires, and other utility lines often leave small gaps around them, and these can be perfect entry points for rats. Therefore If these openings are left unsealed, they can easily exploit them to gain entry.

5. Damaged Air Bricks and Vents
Air bricks and vents are crucial for ventilation, but if they are damaged or have gaps, they can be used by them to gain access. Therefore once inside, they have easy access to basements, crawl spaces, and wall cavities, providing them with safe passage throughout your property.

Preventing Rats from Gaining Entry

1. Seal the Gaps: Ensure any visible gaps, particularly around utility lines, sinks, and kitchen areas, are sealed. This is one of the most effective ways to keep rats out.

2. Conduct Regular Inspections: Check the perimeter of your property regularly for cracks, gaps, or damaged vents. Also in addition regular inspections will help you identify potential vulnerabilities before rats can exploit them.

3. Remove Food Sources: Store food waste securely, ensure bins have tightly fitting lids, and store pantry items in sealed containers. Removing food sources reduces the attraction for rats.

4. Get Professional Assistance: If you see any signs of rats or suspect they may already be in your home, it’s time to call in the professionals at Swanland Pest Control.

How Swanland Pest Control Can Help You

Here at Swanland Pest Control, we understand the challenges of dealing with a rat infestation. Our experienced team uses effective, humane methods to ensure your property is rodent-free:

• Professional Property Inspection: We carry out a thorough inspection to identify entry points and activity areas.
• Sealing Entry Points: We provide expert advice and services to seal all potential entry points, keeping rats out.
• Trapping and Baiting: We use safe and effective trapping and baiting techniques to eliminate rats already present in your home.
• Continuous Prevention: We offer customised advice to help prevent future infestations, giving you ongoing peace of mind.

Don’t let rats invade your home and compromise your safety. Contact Swanland Pest Control today for a detailed inspection and effective rat control services. With our expertise, we can help keep your home safe, comfortable, and rat-free.