Rats aren’t just a nuisance—they can threaten your health and damage your property. A key sign of an infestation is the presence of their nests, where they breed, rest, and store food. Learn more about the signs of rat infestation, common nesting locations, and practical steps for removing and preventing rat nests.
Common Places Where Rats Build Nests
So, where do rats nest? Rats are highly adaptable and opportunistic, and their ability to exploit a variety of spaces makes them difficult to detect and control. However, they tend to build nests in locations that offer warmth, safety, and proximity to food sources.
Indoor Nesting Areas
Rats gravitate to dark, quiet, and protected spaces. It’s why some of these common indoor spots provide a comfortable nesting area for them:
- Attics: Insulation is warm and easy for rats to shred into soft nesting material.
- Basements and Crawl Spaces: Offering a humid and undisturbed spot, rats may build their nests behind stored items or along walls.
- Wall Cavities and Ceilings: Rats are excellent climbers and can squeeze through openings as small as ½ inch. Once inside walls, they create nests using drywall and insulation materials.
- Kitchens and Pantries: Rats may nest behind appliances like refrigerators and stoves or inside cabinets and drawers where they may have easy access to food.
Outdoor Rat Nesting Areas
Similar to when rats seek shelter inside, when outdoors, rats look for protection from the elements to build their nests in areas such as:
- Burrows: Rats are natural diggers and create intricate tunnel systems in the soil near buildings, under bushes, or in gardens with dense plant life.
- Brush piles and clutter: Stacked firewood, leaf piles, and general yard debris are all attractive hiding spots for rats.
- Under decks or patios: These difficult-to-reach areas are often overlooked, but they provide excellent shelter for where rats nest.
- Garbage and compost areas: Accessible trash bins or compost piles can attract rats by promising a consistent food source.
What Does a Rat Nest Look Like?
Nests provide clear evidence of an infestation and offer clues about the extent of the problem. Learning to recognize a rat nest and take action as soon as possible can help you prevent an infestation.
Materials Used in Rat Nests
Rats are resourceful and will use whatever is available to create their nests, whether inside your home or anywhere else on your property. Rats will build nests using anything that’s accessible and smells good to them, including shredded paper and cardboard, insulation, fabric and upholstery, and natural debris like leaves, twigs, and grass.
Structure and Shape of a Rat Nest
Strategically constructed for warmth and protection, rat nests are typically round and about 6 to 8 inches in diameter. With a main chamber for resting and smaller areas for storing food, rats’ nests are well-organized for survival – although they may appear messy to the human eye.
Signs of Rat Infestation
Finding a nest isn’t the only sign of a rat infestation. Keep an eye out for small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings and a strong, musky urine odor. Rats also leave visible gnaw marks on wood, plastic, and wires as they chew to maintain their teeth. Greasy smudges or tracks along walls and floors mark their frequent travel paths. Lastly, scratching, squeaking, or scurrying sounds—especially at night—are clear signs of active rats in your home.
How to Remove a Rat Nest Safely
While removing a rat’s nest as soon as you find it may be tempting, handling nests can be dangerous. Getting rid of rats in your yard involves safety risks that can be mitigated by opting for professional pest control support.
Health and Safety Precautions
Rats carry diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis, which can spread through contact with their nests or droppings. This is a health hazard to you and also dangerous for your pets, too. When removing a nest, protect yourself and properly dispose of all rat nest materials:
- Wear personal protective gear: Always wear gloves, a mask, and goggles when handling a rat nest or cleaning an infested area.
- Disinfect thoroughly: Before handling the nest, spray the area with a bleach solution or disinfectant to kill harmful pathogens.
- Avoid stirring up dust: Do not sweep or vacuum the nest, as this can release airborne particles that may contain viruses.
Professional vs. DIY Rat Nest Removal
Removing a rat nest requires careful attention to health and safety. For larger infestations or nests in hard-to-reach areas, it’s best to call professionals like Mosquito Joe® for rat control services. Experts can remove rodent nests safely and provide long-term pest control solutions tailored to your property.
Tips for Preventing Rat Nests in Your Home
Preventing rats from nesting around your home is easier than handling an infestation. Protect your home and ensure rats and other rodents understand they aren’t welcome on your property with a few best-practice tips. What’s more, implementing these best practices can help you keep your property in great shape:
- Seal any cracks, holes, or gaps in your foundation, walls, or roofline using steel wool or caulk to block their entry.
- Remove clutter from your yard, garage, and basement to eliminate hiding spots.
- Store food in airtight containers and ensure trash bins are tightly sealed to avoid attracting pests.
- Keep your yard rat-free with general maintenance by trimming bushes, mowing the lawn, and keeping firewood or debris away from your home.
- Eco-friendly repellents like peppermint oil or ultrasonic devices can help deter rats and keep your property pest-free.
At Mosquito Joe, we know how challenging it can be to deal with rats. Our trained service professionals can identify rodent infestations and address them at the source, including rat nest identification and removal. Our Mosquito Joe services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and our own Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee to ensure your satisfaction every time. Contact us today for a free estimate and take the first step toward a rat-free home.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
