The fact that rat teeth never stop growing is one of the most amazing facts about them. Consider a set of front teeth that lengthens and becomes more durable over time. To keep their teeth down, rats should chew a variety of items on a regular basis. Otherwise, their teeth will grow to the point where they will be unable to eat or seal their mouths, finally killing them. Rats can chew on a variety of objects thanks to their keen teeth, but there are a few that they cannot.
What can rats not chew through?
Fortunately, rats have yet to defeat mankind, and some compounds are incapable of passing through their jaws. These materials, which include solid concrete, stone, and hard metal, are ideal for creating a truly rat-proof dwelling. Metal screens can be placed on wooden or plastic surfaces that you are concerned about rats nibbling through. To avoid attracting the rat’s strong sense of smell, keep all traces of food and water safely away. Keep things out of the air and make sure your home is well-kept, so rats don’t tear holes in it.
When mice enter the kitchen, they can contaminate food, and if they feel threatened, they can transmit disease to people through painful bites. They can demolish furniture and gnaw through most building materials, as well as practically anything else, and they breed quickly. This means that a single pregnant rat can readily give birth to a large number of offspring. This is bad because all of the possible health hazards associated with rats, as well as the property and equipment damage they can do, can cost you a lot of time and money.
Solid concrete:
Rats can get through weak concrete, but it’s a different matter when it comes to strong concrete. Even if you have carpet or hardwood over the concrete, rats will not be able to get inside your home if it is built on a concrete foundation. Adding a concrete floor to the upper levels of crawlspace or subterranean dwellings will prevent rats from nibbling through but be sure your home can sustain the increased weight by consulting a skilled home engineer. Finish the concrete with an acid wash or cover it with standard flooring.
Metals:
Metal isn’t exactly a typical living floor, but there are a few solutions for making it stronger. Like hardwoods, they’re normally set with interlocking heads with no grout between them. Some metal tiles have a hardwood appearance, while others have an industrial appearance. To keep rats away, the floor should be built of a strong metal such as steel. Aluminum and other soft metals bear little similarity to rat teeth.
Rocks or stones:
Rats are unable to chew rocks, thus a stone floor will prevent them from entering. This isn’t always the case with ceramic tile, which might be so fragile that pests can get through. The issue with stone floors is that the weak places are frequently visible throughout the space. It’s frequently installed in a design with grout between rocks, and the grout provides an easy entry place for rats. The small grout lines aren’t big enough for rats to squeeze through, but they only need 1 inch diameter holes. With specifically constructed grout lines, they can be found in the corners of your floor or stonework.
How can you keep rats out of your house?
Rats may appear to be an indestructible threat, but homeowners can keep them out. Good hygiene is the first and most critical step in preventing infection. It will go a long way to get rid of rats and remove food and water supplies. Glass or metal containers should be used to store pet food and pantry items, and covered trash should be used. Pick things up and organize them so that rats have fewer places to hide. Keep outdoor shrubs and wood or compost piles away from the structure.
Fill up the gaps and close the holes:
Rats don’t require a large entrance to get access to your property. They can be squeezed out of any hole large enough to fit two fingers through. Close any gaps in your interior or external walls with this in mind. Check the closed holes and cracks after a week or month to ensure they are in good working order.
Rodent repellents:
Finally, use plant-based rodent repellents to keep rodents away from your home. These pests have weak vision but have a unique sense of smell. Rats have even been trained to sniff out explosives, drugs, and even act as rescue sniffers for catastrophe survivors. Essential oils are used in Rodent Repellent, which offer a pleasing odor to humans but are repulsive to rats. These creatures won’t return because of the stench. Fresh cab packets placed around your home and storage space helps keep rats and mice out.
Cleaning and good trash management:
Rats and other pests frequently target kitchens, which are rich in food and water. As a result, one of the most crucial aspects of integrated pest management is keeping your kitchen clean. Clean any peels, pieces, and cooking utensils as soon as possible, and don’t forget to clean behind and under the appliances. A brilliant beacon for hungry rats, a floating, re-emerging rubbish can is a proven way to draw them into your home. Regularly empty your kitchen trash, and make sure that all trash can lids (both indoor and outdoor) are firmly closed and secured.
Summary:
Your rat troubles will not go away just because you chose a safe floor material that rats can’t gnaw. Rats can lick the floor and nibble on wooden baseboards or your walls, especially where holes already exist, such as around pipes and wires. Lift the steel wool and press it firmly into pre-existing holes, even if they are little, to prevent rats from widening them. You can plug the holes and gaps with hard metals, stones, or boulders so that they can’t gnaw through the materials and get inside your house or room.