What Attracts Rats to Your House and Yard?

Rats are attracted to three things: food, water, and shelter. Around the home that means fruit trees, pet food, bird seed, open trash, leaky pipes, dense vegetation, clutter, and gaps that lead into attics, walls, and crawl spaces.

Rats do not pick a house at random. They settle where food, water, and shelter are easy to reach. Southern California’s mild weather and lush yards give them plenty of all three. Here is what attracts them and what you can do about it.

1. Fruit Trees

Citrus, avocado, and other fruit trees are a major draw for roof rats. They eat fruit on the tree and on the ground, and they nest in the canopy. Pick fruit when ripe and clear fallen fruit every day.

2. Pet Food and Water

Bowls left outside overnight are an open buffet. Feed pets indoors or pick up bowls in the evening. Store pet food in sealed metal or thick plastic bins.

3. Bird Feeders

Spilled seed on the ground feeds rats. Use a catch tray, clean up under the feeder, or remove it until the rodent problem is solved.

4. Trash and Compost

Overflowing bins, loose lids, and open compost piles are easy food. Keep lids closed and use enclosed compost bins.

5. Water Sources

Leaky hose bibs, dripping irrigation, pet water bowls, and pooling water all give rats something to drink. Fix leaks and empty standing water.

6. Dense Vegetation

Ivy, overgrown shrubs, and thick ground cover give rats shelter and hidden travel routes. Ivy on walls and fences is a favorite of roof rats. Trim plants away from the house.

7. Branches Touching the Roof

Tree limbs, vines, and utility lines that touch the roof are how roof rats get onto it. Trim branches back at least a few feet from the roofline.

8. Clutter and Storage

Stacked wood, stored boxes, and cluttered garages give rats a place to nest. Store items off the ground and away from walls.

Taking Away Attractants Is Not Enough

Cleaning up your yard makes your home less appealing. But if rats are already inside your attic or walls, they have everything they need. That is where a professional comes in.

Socal Rodent Control offers a free inspection to find where rats are getting in. We handle rodent extermination, rodent proofing, and attic decontamination to remove the scent that draws new rats to the same spots. Call (310) 935-3622.

Not sure if you have rats yet? Read our guide on the signs of rats in your house.