You’re doing some last-minute, late-night laundry in a quiet, dimly lit room when you hear a faint, strange noise. It sounds like scratching, followed by pitter-patter, a brief silence, then more scratching and pitter-patter. At first, you think it’s just some weird house noise but then it happens again and this time it’s louder and distinguishable. Now, you realize it’s rats! Yuck!
They’re crawling around your attic right now and it sends you into a panic. There are filthy, disgusting rodents running around your house and you didn’t even know they were there. As you try to imagine how they got into the house, it occurs to you they had to get into the attic somehow, which begs the question, “Can rats climb walls?”
Do Rats Actually Climb Walls?
Rats are one of the most adaptive and resourceful creatures, which is part of what makes them formidable pests in residential properties. Among their many skills, their ability to climb walls is often underestimated. But is it true? Let’s explore the science behind this claim and the implications of their climbing prowess. We’ll also take a look at the most common types of damage they cause, equipping homeowners with the knowledge to safeguard their properties.
But for now, the short answer is yes, rats can indeed climb walls, and they do so remarkably well under the right conditions. Here’s what you need to know about rats and their abilities to climb walls:
- Adapted physical structure. Rats possess strong claws and gripping pads on their feet, enabling them to latch onto rough surfaces like bricks, stucco, wood, and concrete. They can also scale vertical surfaces if the material offers adequate texture or crevices to grip.
- Impressive agility. Their lean bodies and strong limbs allow them to stretch and propel themselves upward, often leveraging irregularities in walls, pipes, or ledges for support.
- Climbing preferences. Rats prefer climbing walls with textures, such as brick or stone, that provide natural footholds. Smooth surfaces like metal or plastic pipes can still be navigated if the rats can press their bodies against the sides for friction.
Limits to Their Climbing Abilities
Although rats are excellent climbers, they struggle with completely smooth and vertical walls. However, they often combine climbing with jumping, which allows them to access elevated areas through other means, such as leaping to a ledge or grabbing onto nearby objects.
Damage Rats Cause
Rats are not just climbing nuisances; their presence can lead to significant structural, financial, and health consequences. Below are the most common types of damage they cause:
Chewing Damage
Rats possess ever-growing incisors that require constant gnawing to keep them in check. Due to this biological phenomenon, their behavior leads to the following problems:
- Wires and cables. Rats chew through electrical wiring, which can result in short circuits, power outages, and even fire hazards.
- Plumbing. Plastic and PVC pipes are no match for a rat’s teeth, potentially leading to costly water leaks and structural damage.
- Structural materials. Rats gnaw on wood, drywall, and insulation, undermining the integrity of walls and ceilings.
Contamination of Food and Surfaces
Rats are known to invade pantries and kitchen cabinets, contaminating food supplies with their urine, droppings, and fur. This contamination poses a significant health risk, as rats can carry diseases like leptospirosis, salmonella, and hantavirus.
Damage to Insulation
In their quest to build nests, rats tear apart insulation in attics, garages, sheds, and walls. This compromises the home’s energy efficiency and can lead to higher heating and cooling costs.
Undermining Foundations
Some rat species, like Norway rats, are burrowers. They often dig extensive tunnels and burrows beneath homes, weakening foundations, sidewalks, and driveways. These tunnels can lead to soil erosion and eventual structural instability.
Drainage and Sewer Issues
Rats are notorious for infiltrating sewer systems and drainage pipes. They can block pipes with debris or even cause leaks by chewing through pipe materials. A damaged drainage system may lead to flooding and sewage backups.
Health Hazards
Besides physical damage, the presence of rats in a home can directly impact the well-being of its inhabitants. Allergens from rat droppings, as well as the diseases they carry, pose severe health risks, especially in children and immuno-compromised individuals.
Preventive Measures and Solutions
- Seal up entry points. Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, or holes, especially around utility lines and vents. Seal these with durable materials like steel wool or hardware cloth, which rats cannot chew through.
- Maintain cleanliness. Eliminate food sources by securely storing pantry items in airtight containers and keeping the kitchen free of crumbs and debris.
- Reduce clutter. Rats use clutter as shelter. Keep attics, sheds, and other storage areas tidy to make them less appealing.
- Trim trees and shrubs. Overhanging branches and dense vegetation provide rats with pathways to your home. Regular pruning and landscaping can reduce their access.
- Professional pest control. If you suspect a rat infestation, contact a pest control specialist. They can assess the situation and employ measures like baiting and trapping.
What We’ve Learned
Rats’ ability to climb walls and navigate various obstacles demonstrates their adaptability and resourcefulness. So, with this adaptability comes the potential for significant damage to residential properties. By understanding how rats operate and the types of damage they cause, homeowners can take proactive measures to protect their homes and health.
If you have or suspect a rodent problem in your home or business, Trad’s Pest Control is here to help! Just give us a call and we’ll send out one of our experienced technicians to take a look and provide you with a plan of action to get rid of those pests!