Where Do Rats Nest Inside Your Home in Raleigh?
When people think about pest problems, rats are often the first thing that comes to mind. Most rat species, including common roof rats and Norway rats, are invasive in the United States; they arrived centuries ago as stowaways on ships and have since spread to every place where humans have built cities. Each year in Raleigh, numerous homeowners have to deal with rats invading their homes and causing trouble.
Getting rid of nuisance rats can prove challenging, especially if you don't know where the rats are coming from. Usually, when rats are a household nuisance, they've built a nest somewhere on the property, possibly somewhere within the confines of your home. By learning where rats have built nests inside your home in Raleigh, you can develop a plan to remove these filthy pests.
Common Rat Nesting Places in Homes
Rats build nests from shredded materials like paper, insulation, cardboard, and grass. These are some places where you are most likely to find rat nests in your home:
The Attic
Attics are possibly the most remote areas of our homes, since most homeowners rarely use them, making them an ideal place for rats to build their nests. Attics are also warm and sheltered, which makes them appealing to rats that manage to climb up into them. Yet another reason that rats often choose to nest in attics is because attic insulation makes an ideal material for building their nests.
Wall Cavities
Rats often first enter homes in Raleigh by chewing through drywall to infiltrate the cavities between walls. Since these spaces are warm, safe, and dark, rats sometimes choose to use wall cavities to build their nests. If you hear squeaking and scratching coming from your walls, rat nests are probably located inside.
The Crawl Space
Just like attics, crawl spaces are secluded and sheltered areas that people don't often use, making them a perfect nesting spot for rats. Rats frequently burrow into the crawl spaces of Raleigh homes, shredding up materials they find within and outside to make nests. Homes with basements are less likely to suffer rat infestations in this area, but rats may choose to nest in the basement if it is rarely used.
Outdoor Sheds & Garages
Rat infestations in Raleigh often begin by targeting garden sheds and garages. Since humans do not live in these sheds, rats may feel safer using them to build their nests. Garages and sheds are often full of clutter, which gives rats ample places to hide, and these spaces may also be used to store bird seed or pet food that rats can eat.
Nesting Behaviors of Roof Rats vs. Norway Rats
Where a rat nest is found on your property in Raleigh will depend partially on the species of rat. Though they look quite similar, Norway rats and roof rats are very different behaviorally, and this extends to their nesting habits.
Norway rats are burrowers that live in the ground and often dig tunnels in which to live. If you have a Norway rat infestation, these rodents are most likely to build nests at or below ground level. Crawl spaces, sheds, and garages are often used as Norway rat nesting places. It's even possible that Norway rats will live in burrows beneath your porch or somewhere else outside your home, and simply rely on your home as a source of food and water.
Roof rats are adept climbers that, just like squirrels, prefer to nest in high-up places. Most often, roof rat infestations begin when these dexterous rodents find a way in through an attic vent or roof damage. Attics and wall cavities are the most common indoor nesting places for roof rats. They're also known to nest in the roof areas of garden sheds.
Raleigh's Most Reliable Rat Control Company
If you believe that rats are nesting in your home and you want help to get rid of them, your best option is to work with a licensed and insured rodent exterminator. Contact Sustainable Pest Systems today if you need professional rat control services in the Raleigh area!