Are Rats Chewing Through Your House?


A rat problem in the home can be a real headache for people to deal with. Rats can contaminate food supplies when they get into kitchens, and they can potentially spread diseases to humans through painful bites if they feel threatened. They can destroy furniture, and chew through most of the building materials that make a house. Rat’s can chew through almost anything, and they reproduce rapidly in short periods of time. This means that one pregnant rat can easily lead to many rats. This is not good because all of the potential health hazards associated with rats, and the damage they can cause to property and belongings can cost you a lot of time and money.

At Signature Pest & Termite Control, we understand how upsetting it can be to find an infestation of rats in your home. If you’re looking to get rid of these pests for good, Signature Pest Control is the solution. In order for us to help you uproot this problem, we want you to understand what exactly rats are capable of chewing through, as well as what they cannot chew through – this will help you bolster your defenses against pest infestations in the future.

Understanding a Rat’s Teeth

One of the most striking facts about a rat’s teeth is the fact that their incisors never stop growing! Imagine having a pair of front teeth that continue to grow in length and durability throughout your entire lifetime. Rats must continuously chew through a variety of different materials in order to wear their teeth down. Otherwise, their teeth would grow too long, making it impossible for them to eat or close their mouths, which would ultimately kill them. So, what exactly do they like to chew through?

Rats’ Favorite Things to Chew

Rats never stop chewing. This can be a frustrating discovery for a homeowner, especially one who has exhausted all efforts in trying to keep rats out. We’ve listed some of the most common and frequent items that rats like to chew on:

  • Wood
  • Cement
  • Plastic
  • Brick
  • Aluminum
  • Lead
  • Cinder Blocks
  • Asbestos

Although rats can chew through some pretty solid material, there are still ways to block the rats from coming inside.

What Can’t Rats Chew Through?

Using these non-chewable items are great ways to prevent rats from getting inside your home.

Some of the things a rat can’t chew through include:

  • Thick Plastic
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Some Window Screens
  • Door Sweeps

You can put metal screens on top of wooden or plastic areas that you’re afraid of rats chewing through. Make sure to keep all signs of food and water safely sealed away, in order to prevent attracting a rat’s strong sense of smell. Keep things airtight and ensure that all parts of your house are well maintained so that rats can’t chew holes through them.

Lastly, another great form of prevention is to invest in a type of rodent repellent that uses natural products to keep rats away. Since they have great sniffers, rats will steer clear of anything that smells bad or dangerous to them.

Have a Rat Problem? Contact Us Today!

Our experts at Signature Pest & Termite Control are professionally trained and ready to help you with your rat infestation. Since they’re such great little chewers, it can be very difficult to stem the tide of a rat problem on your own. We have the tools and resources available to naturally exterminate and repel any signs of rats. For a custom consultation, you can contact us right away by filling out our online contact form. You can also give us a call at (909) 375-8923 for a free consultation! We look forward to helping you maintain happiness and sanitation in your home!