“They pay their rent with feces and urine, which acts like a calling card to other rats”

This last winter saw an increase in rats looking for new homes in Central Washington. If you are interested in hosting rats in your home, we have provided a convenient list of “5 Easy Steps to Get Rats.”

Step 1: Provide Shelter

A good host is always considerate of their guests. Rats are some of the easiest company to entertain. Your house might not be a Hilton, but they don’t discriminate: whether its old or new, big or small, run-down or pristine, it’s all the same to a rat. The sub-floor insulation placed beneath floors and above ceilings makes perfect nests for rodents, almost like giant, endless bedding.

No need to leave the front door unlocked, there are plenty of ways to let them in. You don’t even need to have a large gap in your home, anything the size of at least a quarter will do just fine. Also, broken screen vents along the foundation and gaps around sewage and water pipes offer easy accessibility as well. It is surprising how quickly these rodents adapt and discover ways into your home. They can even utilize doggie-doors or get into the house via the toilet. 

Step 2: Give Them Food

Make sure to be a good host and provide food. Whether it’s bird feed, pet food or even trash left outside, your new guests will love it. Keep pet and bird food unsealed and within easy reach of rodents if you want to attract rat vacationers looking for a decent getaway. Leaking pipes and stagnant water provide an excellent source of hydration and a virtual water park for rodent recreation.

Once they are welcomed into your home they will feel free to help themselves to your pantry. If you want some late night entertainment, prepare some popcorn, dim the lights and watch the rats invent ways to get inside your cupboards. You won’t get bored.

Step 3: Offer a Landscape Haven

Having bushes and trees growing close to your house is a great way to give cover to rats as they prowl around searching for a way to get inside. Cutting back vegetation at least a foot from your house may devastate your furry guests. They won’t feel comfortable being exposed and are less likely to feel welcome if they are out in the open. To cater to their comfort, make sure your house is overgrown like a jungle. This makes it perfect for rats and other pests who want to be a part of your world.

Step 4: Provide Compost

Don’t worry about having a sealed compost bin. If you want your guests to feel encouraged to stay, move the compost pile close to your home. After all, what rodent can say no to a pile of rotting debris and vegetation. This is one of the best strategies for ensuring that your home’s curb appeal is the best in your neighborhood at enticing rats.

Step 5: Don’t Have Your Home Properly Inspected or Serviced

For the comfort of your guests, we highly recommend not getting your home checked out by Harvest Valley or any other trusted pest control company. Out of all of the “5 Easy Steps” this is the most important one to practice. Even a hint of a pest control service could damage the good relationship between you and the rats and cause them to consider moving. As a good host, your job is first and foremost to think of your guest and do everything in your power to make them feel like your home is theirs.

If these 5 steps are observed with care and attention, you can be assured a long lasting relationship with rats. Your home may even become the neighborhood rat hangout. Not only do they reproduce quickly and without any assistance, but they pay their rent with feces and urine, which acts like a calling card to other rats and in turn will increase the amount of rent you receive from your guests!