Should I be concerned if I see a rat or mouse around my home? Yes. Rats and mice are more than a nuisance, they can carry some very serious diseases. Everyone should try to get rid of areas around their home where rats can live, breed, and find food.
In some cultures, rats are symbols of wealth and fertility. Their association with abundance stems from their ability to find and store food, even in scarce conditions. If you've seen a rat, it might suggest that prosperity is on its way—but only if you seize the opportunities presented to you.
Even a single rat is enough to make most people shudder, but the truth is that if you have rats, you are unlikely to only have one. Rats are clever creatures that can squeeze into the tiniest of gaps, and once they have made themselves at home, they will breed.
Infestation Risk: One rat can indicate a larger problem, as they tend to live in groups. If you see one, it's essential to check for signs of more rats, such as droppings or nesting materials. Health Concerns: Rats can carry diseases and parasites, posing health risks to humans and pets.
Rats are more aggressive than mice when it comes to having contact with humans. While mice will run away if they see a person, rats are less likely to flee. In fact, they can become threatened and may attack you if they're cornered.
Wild rats are not used to human contact and will bite when handled or when people attempt to feed them by hand. The nocturnal creatures have also been known to bite sleeping people, particularly children and infants, on exposed body parts such as fingers, hands, toes and the face when foraging for food.
While spotting one rat in your garden doesn't necessarily mean you have an infestation, it's a good idea to check for any other signs of rats that could indicate a larger problem. You should set up preventative measures and take action to get rid of them as soon as possible.
It's crucial to stay far away from the rats and not touch them. Rats can carry a variety of diseases that are dangerous to humans and pets, so it's important to avoid rats.
There are two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. If you don't tidy up properly and there's food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it! Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold.
Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall.
If you only ever see one rat, it's likely that there is just one. However, if you start seeing rats more frequently, it's a sign that there may be more than one. Rats are social creatures, and they often travel in groups. So, seeing multiple rats together is a good indication that several rats are living in your home.
Inside, rats can be found hiding out in holes, cracks, and crevices; climbing up through drains in bathrooms and kitchens; behind cabinets; behind and under appliances; in air ducts and ventilation systems; in piles of clutter; in storage containers; in hollow walls; and in crawlspaces, attics, garages, and basements.
Rats will not leave on their own unless they are forced to do so by humans. If you give them a chance to leave on their own they will eventually die from lack of food or water or because of disease or other circumstances that could kill them off quickly before you get rid of them completely.
All rat species may attack if they feel threatened, or are provoked or scared and need to fight their way out of a confrontation. However, many rats don't actually attack anything – birds or humans – since they typically hide during the day.
Rats are drawn to food, shelter, and water. So, there's probably something that's tempting them inside. One rat generally means there are more rats around, which means there's likely an infestation. As soon as you spot one rat, we recommend kick starting your DIY pest control immediately.
Outdoors, rats face a variety of predators. In these environments, large birds of prey — including hawks, falcons and owls — feed regularly on rodents. Owls are particularly formidable predators, as their nocturnal behavior ensures that they are most active when rats go out in search of food.
Most gardens will have a small population of rats and mice visiting without causing any problems. But if their numbers increase or they start to tunnel under patios, decking or sheds, their presence might cause concern. Rats can pose a threat to small, outdoor pets and will sometimes prey on them.
Sleeping with the lights on will not effectively keep rats away. Rats are highly adaptable creatures and can thrive in both light and dark conditions. While they may prefer dark areas, bright lights do not act as a strong deterrent. Instead, they have been known to adjust to environments where hiding is available.
Infestations of outdoor rats can destroy your lawn and garden. Even worse, they may move inside your home if the infestation becomes back enough (check out our guide on how to get rid of rats in your house). With that in mind, it's important to act quickly to get rid of outdoor rat infestations.
Rats are crepuscular — that means they like to be active at dawn and dusk, when it's not too hot or too cold outside. There's more food available during these times, too! Rats are intelligent creatures, so they can adapt to any environment that provides shelter from predators and good access to food sources.
If you're seeking a natural method as a rat deterrent, consider leveraging the potent aroma of citronella. Its strong scent disrupts rats' ability to navigate using their keen sense of smell. Here's how to utilize it effectively around your space as a rat control: Purchase citronella oil or candles.
Does It Mean An Infestation? Rats will only come out when they feel that it is truly safe, which is why you rarely see them during the day. Thus, seeing one or more rats during the day is often a likely sign of an infestation in your home or commercial property.