How Can I Get Rid of Rat Burrows and Holes Around My House?
Holes dug around the foundation of your home are never a good sign. Some creature is either hiding under the foundation of your home or attempting to gain access to your home. Before taking action, you need to know for sure that it is in fact a rat/rodent burrow you are observing around your home. If indeed rats have a burrow under your home, the structural integrity of your foundation may be at risk.
Rats are extremely intelligent animals and have excellent survival skills. By more fully understanding what these burrows are and how the rats are using them, you will have faster and more complete rodent control.
Rat Nests
Some species of rats create underground pathways or burrows. These underground nests usually consist of food storage areas and living spaces. There is usually one main entrance and 1 or 2 other entrances which may be less obvious or concealed. These additional exit holes enable the rats to quickly escape if they sense danger. Often, a burrow contains more than one rat. As the rat family expands, the burrow becomes larger with more tunnels and rooms.
Rats tend to choose areas to make their nests in areas with sandy soil, close to their food and water source, and areas that are somewhat concealed. These burrows are often located under bushes or other types of dense vegetation. To distinguish rat burrows from other animal holes, look at the diameter of the opening. The main opening to a Norway rat’s burrow is 2 to 4 inches in diameter and is smooth from use. The opening will often have freshly excavated dirt strewn in a fan shape around the outside of the opening, but can appear differently depending on where you live in the U.S.
Active burrows have smooth walls and hard packed dirt. Beneath the surface, the rat tunnels and rooms are no further than 18” deep. They may include 3 feet of tunnels often leading to additional safety exits.
Roof Rat or Norway Rat
The two most common species of rats in the United States are the roof rat, Rattus rattus, and the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. As their name implies, roof rats tend to build their nests higher, such as in attics and in thick vegetation high up in trees or vines. Norway rats are most likely the culprits behind the rat holes that you are seeing in your yard.
The Norway rat is sometimes referred to as the street rat or the sewer rat. The Norway rat is more aggressive and larger than the roof rat, with an adult averaging 16 inches in length, including the tail. Each Norway rat weighs about 1 pound. The tail of the Norway rat is slightly shorter than its head and body; if pulled forward, the tail of the Norway rat would not reach its nose.
Usually at night, Norway rats travel between 50-100 feet in search of food and water, however if resources are scarce, they may travel up to 300 feet. Norway rats may enter homes for food and return to their burrows at the end of the night. The Norway rat can climb and is also an excellent swimmer.
What Does a Rat Nest Look Like?
When inspecting for rat burrows check along walls, sidewalk edges, and in the soft fertile soil of your garden. Rats tend to build their underground nests in areas where they will not be disturbed, such as underneath a porch, a deck, a shed or a barn.
In addition, look for the following factors:
- Grease Marks – Rats run along the same areas over and over leaving worn down paths in grass and dark greasy track marks along foundation walls.
- Fecal droppings – Norway rat droppings are usually shiny black, but the color may vary according to their diet. Their droppings are capsule shaped with blunt ends and usually between ¾” to 1″ in length. These droppings may be found along their runways or in areas where they have been feeding.
- Strong Odor – Rats have little no control over their bladder, they frequently urinate on their pathways then their bodies drag through the urine. Severe rat infestations emit a musky overpowering odor.
How to Close a Rat Hole
Once you have identified active rat burrows outside your home, the rats may or may not be accessing your home in the night. Depending upon the severity of the situation and all of the circumstances, your Pest Management Professional can help you come up with a plan of attack. Many people choose to either implement a rat baiting or trapping program to eliminate the troublesome rodents. After the rats are eliminated, you can proceed to close up the holes. It is important to seal the holes even after the rats are gone, so other animals do not attempt to utilize the burrow.
When there are no animals in the nest, fill it with concrete or sand. If possible, locate the main entry hole and all of the exit holes and pack them full. You can pack steel wool or hardware mesh that rats can not chew through into the hole as well. Be sure all the rats are out of the burrow. If you seal them in, you risk a terrible odor as they decompose. While you are sealing the burrow, take this opportunity to completely rodent proof your home. Seal cracks and holes in your home or garage with materials rats cannot chew through. Pay special attention for holes around cable lines, telephone lines, dryer exhausts, electrical conduits, and water or gas pipes.
How to Prevent Rat Holes or Burrows
Like all animals, rats remain in areas where food, water, and shelter are abundant. By making these necessities less accessible, your potential for a rat infestation is reduced. Consider making the following changes in and around your home:
- Remove access to water and food sources, including pet food and large animal feed.
- Seal garbage cans and compost bins
- Fix leaking pipes and faucets
- Keep all vegetation on your property mowed and maintained as low as possible.
- Maintain garden by picking fruits and vegetables regularly
- Talk to a Pest Management Professional about a preventative rodent baiting plan for your property.
Holes dug around the foundation of your home are never a good sign. Some creature is either hiding under the foundation of your home or attempting to gain access to your home. Before taking action, you need to know for sure that it is in fact a rat/rodent burrow you are observing around your home. If indeed rats have a burrow under your home, the structural integrity of your foundation may be at risk.
Rats are extremely intelligent animals and have excellent survival skills. By more fully understanding what these burrows are and how the rats are using them, you will have faster and more complete rodent control.
Rat Nests
Some species of rats create underground pathways or burrows. These underground nests usually consist of food storage areas and living spaces. There is usually one main entrance and 1 or 2 other entrances which may be less obvious or concealed. These additional exit holes enable the rats to quickly escape if they sense danger. Often, a burrow contains more than one rat. As the rat family expands, the burrow becomes larger with more tunnels and rooms.
Rats tend to choose areas to make their nests in areas with sandy soil, close to their food and water source, and areas that are somewhat concealed. These burrows are often located under bushes or other types of dense vegetation. To distinguish rat burrows from other animal holes, look at the diameter of the opening. The main opening to a Norway rat’s burrow is 2 to 4 inches in diameter and is smooth from use. The opening will often have freshly excavated dirt strewn in a fan shape around the outside of the opening, but can appear differently depending on where you live in the U.S.
Active burrows have smooth walls and hard packed dirt. Beneath the surface, the rat tunnels and rooms are no further than 18” deep. They may include 3 feet of tunnels often leading to additional safety exits.
Roof Rat or Norway Rat
The two most common species of rats in the United States are the roof rat, Rattus rattus, and the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. As their name implies, roof rats tend to build their nests higher, such as in attics and in thick vegetation high up in trees or vines. Norway rats are most likely the culprits behind the rat holes that you are seeing in your yard.
The Norway rat is sometimes referred to as the street rat or the sewer rat. The Norway rat is more aggressive and larger than the roof rat, with an adult averaging 16 inches in length, including the tail. Each Norway rat weighs about 1 pound. The tail of the Norway rat is slightly shorter than its head and body; if pulled forward, the tail of the Norway rat would not reach its nose.
Usually at night, Norway rats travel between 50-100 feet in search of food and water, however if resources are scarce, they may travel up to 300 feet. Norway rats may enter homes for food and return to their burrows at the end of the night. The Norway rat can climb and is also an excellent swimmer.
What Does a Rat Nest Look Like?
When inspecting for rat burrows check along walls, sidewalk edges, and in the soft fertile soil of your garden. Rats tend to build their underground nests in areas where they will not be disturbed, such as underneath a porch, a deck, a shed or a barn.
In addition, look for the following factors:
- Grease Marks – Rats run along the same areas over and over leaving worn down paths in grass and dark greasy track marks along foundation walls.
- Fecal droppings – Norway rat droppings are usually shiny black, but the color may vary according to their diet. Their droppings are capsule shaped with blunt ends and usually between ¾” to 1″ in length. These droppings may be found along their runways or in areas where they have been feeding.
- Strong Odor – Rats have little no control over their bladder, they frequently urinate on their pathways then their bodies drag through the urine. Severe rat infestations emit a musky overpowering odor.
How to Close a Rat Hole
Once you have identified active rat burrows outside your home, the rats may or may not be accessing your home in the night. Depending upon the severity of the situation and all of the circumstances, your Pest Management Professional can help you come up with a plan of attack. Many people choose to either implement a rat baiting or trapping program to eliminate the troublesome rodents. After the rats are eliminated, you can proceed to close up the holes. It is important to seal the holes even after the rats are gone, so other animals do not attempt to utilize the burrow.
When there are no animals in the nest, fill it with concrete or sand. If possible, locate the main entry hole and all of the exit holes and pack them full. You can pack steel wool or hardware mesh that rats can not chew through into the hole as well. Be sure all the rats are out of the burrow. If you seal them in, you risk a terrible odor as they decompose. While you are sealing the burrow, take this opportunity to completely rodent proof your home. Seal cracks and holes in your home or garage with materials rats cannot chew through. Pay special attention for holes around cable lines, telephone lines, dryer exhausts, electrical conduits, and water or gas pipes.
How to Prevent Rat Holes or Burrows
Like all animals, rats remain in areas where food, water, and shelter are abundant. By making these necessities less accessible, your potential for a rat infestation is reduced. Consider making the following changes in and around your home:
- Remove access to water and food sources, including pet food and large animal feed.
- Seal garbage cans and compost bins
- Fix leaking pipes and faucets
- Keep all vegetation on your property mowed and maintained as low as possible.
- Maintain garden by picking fruits and vegetables regularly
- Talk to a Pest Management Professional about a preventative rodent baiting plan for your property.
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