RAT HOLES IN YARD

 

 

A Rat Nest is both the same and different from a rat; holes dug around the foundation of your home and yard, these things are signs of a rodent infestation.

If a rodent is either hiding under the foundation of your home or attempting to gain access to your home, rodent removal is still an option and Rapid Rodent Removal is one of the best at it. 

Before taking action, you need to know for sure that it is in fact a rodent/rat holes in the yard you are observing around your home. If roof rats make holes in the yard under your home, the structural integrity of your foundation may be at risk. The invading nuisance wildlife critter will rat holes in yards into any earthen area that is close to food, but rats prefer fertile soil, which is why gardens and yards are attractive. After all, these areas often feature water, access to food, and safe areas to create nests

There are usually 2-3 rat holes in yards per rat family in your yard. In most rat families, there are six to eight members. These facts help professionals give reasonably accurate estimations of rat populations based on the number of rat holes in yards found.

So, this means for every 2-3 rat holes in your yard, there is likely to be eight rats who call it their home.

What tempts rats to holes in yard in yards and gardens? 

Rats require easy access to water and a steady supply of food. The nuisance wildlife critter can eat as much as two ounces of food per day. Their diet consists of carbohydrates, animal-based protein, and fat.

So, if you only have fruits and vegetables in your garden, rats will likely move on to another spot where fats and proteins are found.

A compost pile that only has garden scraps won’t sustain them long-term, but a compost pile with fats, meats, grains, and oils, is likely to attract these vermin.

Monitoring compost piles and keeping compost contained in metal or durable plastic containers can help. Being careful with trash storage and securing it in durable cans with tightly fitting lids is essential.

Additionally, any food that you put out to feed birds, chickens, rabbits, or other animals can nourish rats and encourage them to set up their new homes close by.

Rats are extremely intelligent animals and have excellent survival skills. By more fully understanding what these rat holes in yards are and how the rats are using them, you will have faster and more complete rodent control.

HOW TO GET RID OF Rat Holes in yard

Rat holes in garden areas will usually be larger than what you would classify an insect hole as. The holes will typically measure about two to four inches in diameter. You will likely also notice a great deal of loose dirt outside the hole which is caused by the rodents kicking out all of the soil during the digging process.

Types of insects that make holes will not be anywhere near this large and will not have loose accumulations of dirt outside the entrance areas to the hole. Rats are primarily nocturnal creatures, therefore, if you are trying to identify the hole that belongs to a rat, you can inspect the rat holes in yards at night to find the rodents entering or exiting the holes.

 

How to Prevent rat holes in yards


Like all animals, rats remain in areas where food, water, and shelter are abundant. By making these necessities less accessible, your potential for a rat infestation is reduced. Consider making the following changes in and around your home:

  • Remove access to water and food sources, including pet food and large animal feed.

  • Seal garbage 

  • Fix leaking pipes and faucets

  • Keep all vegetation on your property mowed and maintained as low as possible.

  • Maintain garden by picking fruits and vegetables regularly

  • Talk to a Professional about a preventative rodent baiting plan for your property.


How to Close a Rat Hole

Once you have identified active rat rat holes in yards outside your home, the rats may or may not be accessing your home in the night. Depending upon the severity of the situation and all of the circumstances, your Pest Management Professional can help you come up with a plan of attack. Many people choose to either implement a rat baiting or trapping program to eliminate the troublesome rodents. After the rats are eliminated, you can proceed to close up the holes. It is important to seal the holes even after the rats are gone, so other animals do not attempt to utilize the rat holes in the yard.

When there are no animals in the nest, fill it with concrete or sand. If possible, locate the main entry hole and all of the exit holes and pack them full. You can pack steel wool or hardware mesh that rats can not chew through into the hole as well. Be sure all the rats are out of the rat holes in the yard. If you seal them in, you risk a terrible odor as they decompose. While you are sealing the rat holes in the yard, take this opportunity to completely rodent proof your home. Seal cracks and holes in your home or garage with materials rats cannot chew through. Pay special attention for holes around cable lines, telephone lines, dryer exhausts, electrical conduits, and water or gas pipes.