
Unveiling Habits: What They Do When You're Not Looking
When you aren't looking, rats are surprisingly busy creatures. Versatile and adaptable, they navigate your home in ways you might not expect. Understanding their habits can significantly aid your effort to keep them at bay.The Nocturnal Intruder: Night-Time Activity
Rats are sorted as nocturnal animals. They usually stay hidden during the day and become active when it gets dark. So, while you're winding down for the day, these rodents are just starting their nightly routines, searching for food, breeding, and exploring. Knowing this can help direct your prevention and control efforts to when they are most active.A Snack or a Feast: Their Feeding Habits
Rats are omnivores, a fancy term that means they'll eat just about anything. Food scraps, garden produce, trash, and even inedible materials like insulation or wiring aren’t safe from their gnawing hunger. Reducing access to food sources around your home is one of the most effective ways to discourage rats.The Tooth that Grows: Why They Gnaw Constantly
Believe it or not, a rat's front teeth never stop growing. Because of this, rats have an irresistible need to gnaw on things to wear down their teeth. This constant gnawing can lead to significant damage in your Cambridge home, affecting walls, furniture, and even electrical wires, leading sometimes to hazardous situations.Friendly or Foe: Social Behaviors
Rats are socially intelligent creatures. They thrive in communities, form hierarchies, and take care of the sick or injured in their group. However, they often view humans as threats, so interactions can lead to aggressive behaviour. Preventing these encounters is crucial for both the rat's well-being and your peace of mind.Behind the Scenes: Understanding Nesting Behaviour In Homes
To unlock the mystery of rat behaviour, it is essential to delve into their nesting habits. Most rodents are opportunistic creatures. They are exceptionally adept at exploiting their environment to create cozy, well-hidden nests. Understanding their nesting behaviour can offer invaluable insight into their overall behaviour patterns and how to manage their presence effectively in your Cambridge home.The Intruders' Fortress: Locations of Nests in Homes
Rats have an uncanny knack for finding the perfect hideouts right in your dwelling. Although they prefer dark, undisturbed areas, they can be quite flexible when it comes to their 'bedroom' choices. In the typical urban dwelling, they may choose to build their nests:- Behind appliances: Places like the back of your refrigerator or underneath your washing machine offer warmth and protection. These areas are typically less frequented by humans, making them an attractive nesting site.
- Within wall spaces: Rats are excellent climbers and can easily scale your walls to find a secluded spot within them to nest.
- In basements and attics: These areas of the home are oftentimes cluttered and undisturbed, giving plenty of materials for creating their nests and hiding from prying eyes.
- Under floorboards: This might seem surprising, but they can gnaw through your wooden floorboards and create a secret abode beneath your very feet!

Construction Time: How Rats Build Their Nests
Have you ever wondered how they build nests? These handy little architects use a variety of materials suited to their needs and your home’s environment. Rats primarily use soft materials that can be easily collected, transported, and manipulated. An insight into the nest-building process can prove illuminating. Here's how they do it:- Material Collection: Rats collect the material for their nests bit by bit. This includes paper, cloth, attic/ wall insulation, or plant matter.
- Transportation: These materials are usually transported in their mouths to the desired nesting location within your home.
- Foundation: Once they've selected a safe spot, they create a tight ball of material for the foundational base of their nest.
- Building the Nest: With the foundation set, they will then craft a sort of hollow sphere, leaving a small opening for entry and exit.
Outsmarting the Intruders: Strategies To Prevent Infestations In Homes
You won't win the war against infestations if you can't predict their next moves. Recognizing triggers of infestation and taking apt preventive measures is a surefire way to keep a rat-free home.Securing Food Sources
Remember, the main thing attracting rats to your home is food. Don't invite them to a banquet. Ensure proper food storage using sealed glass or metal containers.- Never leave foodstuff (including pet food) out in the open.
- Keep your kitchen surfaces and dining area clean, wiping them down frequently.
- Secure your trash bins, making it impossible to access them.
House Maintenance to Deter Rats
Your home's overall hygiene and structure can attract or repel rats. Regularly inspect and maintain your home to not unknowingly make a welcome sign for rodents. Follow these tips:- Seal up any small holes or cracks that can serve as an entry point. Note that a rat can squeeze through a hole as small as a quarter.
- Keep your garden tidy. Overgrown vegetation can provide shelter. Plus, avoid creating hideouts by leaning stuff up against your house.
- Regularly clean under furniture, behind appliances, and in other hidden areas where rats might nest.