How do rats get into an apartment? - briefly
Rats exploit openings such as cracks in walls, gaps around utility lines, vent covers, and inadequately sealed doors or windows. They also travel through sewer or drainage pipes and can be carried in on deliveries or furniture.
How do rats get into an apartment? - in detail
Rats infiltrate residential units by exploiting structural weaknesses and utility penetrations. Small mammals can compress their bodies to pass through openings as narrow as a quarter‑inch, allowing them to enter through gaps that many occupants consider insignificant.
Typical ingress routes include:
- Cracks in foundation walls or basement floors, especially where concrete has settled or moisture has caused expansion.
- Gaps around pipes, cables, and conduit that pass through walls, floors, or ceilings; these openings often lack proper sealing.
- Openings around vent pipes, dryer exhausts, and bathroom fans, which may be left uncovered or fitted with damaged flaps.
- Spaces beneath doors and windows, particularly where weather‑stripping is worn or absent.
- Unsealed gaps around utility meters, gas lines, and electrical panels.
- Openings at the top of interior stairwells or attic hatches that connect directly to exterior walls.
- Holes or damaged screens on balconies, patios, and fire escapes.
Rats also use indirect pathways. They may travel along sewer lines, emerging through floor drains that lack tight covers. They can climb exterior vegetation, jump onto balcony railings, or move across roof eaves to reach roof‑level vents. Once inside, they exploit any available conduit—such as laundry chutes or trash chutes—to move between floors.
Preventive measures focus on sealing identified openings, installing metal flashing or cement‑based sealants, and ensuring that vent covers and pipe sleeves are intact. Regular inspection of foundation cracks, utility penetrations, and door thresholds reduces the likelihood of successful entry.