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Where do rats live?

Rats and mice aren’t predisposed to living inside your home or business. In fact, most rodents live and nest outdoors but come inside for food and shelter. If you think you have a rodent problem, you’re likely wondering where exactly they’re nesting.

Where Do Rats & Mice Live Indoors?

If rats or mice make their way inside your home, there are a few key areas they tend to target. Rodents will use any material they can find to create their nests, making many rooms in your property vulnerable to their activity.

Norway rats are known to burrow beneath the very foundation of your home, and are thus found in basements, crawl spaces, and more. Roof rats, however, prefer to live in higher areas of a property, including inside of wall voids or inside attics and chimneys. Meanwhile, house and deer mice alike will seek out dark, undisturbed places in the home to nest. With their small size, they can nest in rooms, inside of furniture, and even behind warm appliances in your kitchen or basement.

Where do rats live; Florida Pest Control Rodent Exterminators

Rat & Mice Habitats in Homes

Wall Voids and Cavity Walls: Rats and mice frequently nest in wall voids or cavity walls because these spaces provide protection and isolation. They can enter through small gaps or cracks, using these areas to gnaw on wiring and insulation.

Attics and Roofs: Attics offer warmth and are often filled with insulation, which makes for ideal nesting material. Roof rats, in particular, prefer higher locations and may access your attic through gaps in the roof or overhanging branches.

Basements and Crawl Spaces: Dark, damp basements and crawl spaces provide rats with hidden areas to nest. These spaces are often cluttered, creating ample hiding spots for rodents.

Kitchens and Pantries: The availability of food sources, like pet food or improperly stored grains, attracts rats and mice to kitchens and pantries. These pests are adept at finding entry points to access stored food, even in sealed packages.

Rat & Mice Habitats in Businesses

Restaurants and Food Establishments: Food establishments are a prime target for rodents. They are drawn to the abundance of food sources, such as crumbs, spills, and improperly stored ingredients. Entry points in storage areas or delivery zones can lead to mouse and rat infestations. If you spot any rodents in your establishment, it’s best to call in the rodent control experts before a small infestation becomes a larger rodent problem.

Warehouses and Storage Facilities: Rats often inhabit warehouses and storage facilities where they can find shelter among stored goods and packaging. Cardboard boxes and other materials provide nesting opportunities.

Office Buildings: Even office buildings can attract rodents, particularly in areas with food, such as break rooms. Wall voids, false ceilings, and storage closets provide hiding spots for these pests.

Where do Rats & Mice Live Outdoors?

Most species of rats and mice prefer to live and nest outdoors. Norway rats are burrowers that will build nests in vegetation, along patios, and more. Roof rats are known to nest in trees and on rooflines. Deer mice have a wide range of habitats, often in open fields, forests, or even deserts. Rodent nests can be found in many places, including beneath decks, in tree cavities, under rocks or stumps, and more.

Urban Areas

Sewers and Drains: Urban rats, such as Norway rats, often live in sewers and drains. These areas provide access to water and food scraps, making them ideal habitats.

Dense Vegetation and Gardens: Rats may nest in overgrown vegetation, bushes, and garden beds. These areas offer cover and proximity to food sources, such as fruits, vegetables, or compost piles.

Rural Areas

Fields and Farmlands: In rural areas, rats and mice commonly live in fields and farmlands. They burrow into the ground to create nests or take shelter in barns and silos where food supplies are abundant.

Wooded Areas and Trees: Wooded areas and trees offer natural shelter for rodents. Roof rats, in particular, are adept climbers and may nest in trees or hollow logs.

Where Do Rodents Live in Florida?

Florida’s warm climate and diverse ecosystems make it a haven for rodents. Common Florida rodents, such as roof rats and Norway rats, are frequently found in residential and commercial properties as well as outdoor habitats. Indoors, they seek shelter in wall voids, attics, and kitchens. Outdoors, they thrive in dense vegetation, gardens, and wooded areas. Their ability to gnaw through insulation and other materials allows them to create nesting sites in almost any environment.

If you start to notice the signs of rodents inside your property—hearing noises in your walls, noticing droppings, etc.—it’s best to get a professional rodent exterminator like Florida Pest Control on the job. Because nests can be hazardous, always proceed with caution when attempting to locate rats or mice that may be nesting inside your home or business.

For more information, see our article on how to get rid of rodents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a rat nest look like?

A rat nest typically consists of shredded materials such as paper, fabric, and insulation. Nests are usually located in hidden areas like wall voids, attics, or dense vegetation.

During the day, rats usually stay in their nests, which may be located in wall voids, burrows, or attics. They remain hidden to avoid predators and human activity.

Rats are commonly found in wall voids, attics, basements, kitchens, and outdoors in dense vegetation, sewers, and urban areas.

Rats may temporarily remain in a house without food, but they will eventually leave to seek sustenance elsewhere. Eliminating food sources is a crucial step in pest prevention.

Inspect your property for entry points such as cracks, gaps, or holes in walls, floors, and foundations. Look for signs like rat droppings, gnaw marks, and grease marks along walls.

Where Do Rats And Mice Live Serving Central FL, Northern FL and the Panhandle?

Gainesville | St. Augustine | Ocala | Crystal River | Palatka | Starke | Lake City | Jacksonville West | Jacksonville South

Tallahassee | Ft. Walton Beach | Pensacola | Panama City | Milton | Daytona Beach | Winter Haven | Orlando | Kissimmee | Tampa | Leesburg