Proven Methods to Get Rid of Rats in Your Wall Cavity

Rats are rodents that will make their presence felt, these disease-carrying critters will contaminate food items, destroy property, and even chew on wires that can lead to fires. Their destructive behavior can become a nuisance and what makes matters worse is if quick action is not taken rats can multiply quickly encouraging an infestation. Rats are smart and in some instances will avoid traps and other control methods that will bring elimination. There are many places in the home where they will hide for a harborage. One area of the home where rats may hide is in your home’s wall cavity.

This type of infestation can be hard to control because there are so many areas in the wall cavity as they move from one point to the next, the good news is that the proper knowledge and the right action plan can reach rats even in the most difficult places. If you have an issue with rats in your wall cavity here are several proven methods that will bring elimination.

Signs that Rats are Presence and Maybe Living in Your Wall Cavity

Several signs will identify if you have a rat issue.

• Rats and their droppings may be seen in open areas.
• Rat tracks, for example, a smudged appearance, the front half of their paws typically leaves a clear imprint.
• The evidence of rat droppings, rats droppings are ½ to ¾ inches in length, and their droppings are usually black or dark brown.
• Foul or strong ammonia odors.
• Dark urine stains.
• Gnawn or rub marks.
• Evidence of rat nests, their nesting material can be made up of just about anything from cardboard, paper, plant material, twigs, dry chicken bones, plant matter, insulation, fabric, etc..
• Scurrying or scratching noises, especially at night.
• Sounds of something loud moving behind the walls.
• You will hear loud scratching and scampering noises coming from behind the wall cavity.
• Inspect for small tunnel openings in and around your insulation, openings that look unnatural or off may be a clear indication that rats may be present.

How did Rats get in My Wall Cavity?

A rat living in your wall cavity means they found an entry point or points that must be addressed to bring control, here are a few ways rats can enter.

• External crack or holes in your homes foundation provides the perfect opportunity for rats to get inside your home’s wall. Once inside these rodents will find a way through the inner wall where existing holes for wiring or pipes are located.
• Air condition units that pass through your wall directly from the outside will provide rats with the perfect entry point to enter and exit wall cavity.  The installation of cables and pipes can leave small openings that rats can fit through.
• Your roof edges and overhanging trees, rats will climb trees get on the roof then search for an entry point, the gaps between your roof and walls serve as an entry point for rats.
• Where your cable line enters the building makes a perfect fit for rats to enter the wall cavity.
• Venting systems pass through your home building structure, if installed incorrectly, they can create gaps where rats can enter. Inspect the venting system for any potential flaws in the installation process. If small openings are discovered seal them.

How to  Safe Proof Your Home from Rats Entering Wall Cavity

The best approach to avoid rats is to discourage them from your home, keeping rats at bay will lessen the chance of you having an unexpected visitor.

• Keep your property free of clutter.
• Ensure that trash storage areas are kept clean.
• Fix leaky outside pipes.
• Keep compost in rodent-proof tightly-lidded containers.
• Cover or remove all outdoor containers that collect rainwater.
• Pet food bowls should be washed and cleaned after use.
• Remove tall grass and weeds.
• Keep your gutters clean to prevent water buildup.
• Clean drains to avoid water buildup.
• Don’t allow your grass to become overgrown but keep at the proper mowing height.
• Getting a cat or two may help with the control of rats for a while but is not as effective.
• Remove wood and rock piles. Ripe fruits and vegetables that have fallen to the ground should not be left but picked up, remember the goal is to cut off all food supplies from rats.

Traps and Other Methods to Control Rats in Wall Cavity

• Use rodent poisons or bates but a word of caution make sure to keep these products out of the reach of children and pets, also any product that you purchase and use for rat control always first read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safety and the best results.
• Set traps near access points.
• Calling a professional pest control company to do the job for you based on your infestation may be necessary.

Additional information

• Locate areas where pipes enter the wall, once you find these gaps seal or clog with caulk.
• When it comes to your venting system inspect for any potential flaws in the installation process. If small openings are discovered seal them.
• Make sure that no tree branches are making contact with your home because rats will use branches as bridges that are making contact with your building structure to get onto your roof.
• Shrubby should not make contact with your building structure which will encourage rats to climb onto your building. prune all tree branches and shrubby that are making contact with your home.

Conclusion

Controlling rats in wall cavities may take some time based on the level of infestation but the proper plan in place will bring complete control, a great plan of action in discouraging rats from your home is following these simple steps that will manage them creating for you a rat-free home.