Like mice, rats need food, water and shelter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, rats moved into neighbourhoods since their main source of food – restaurant dumpsters and sidewalk garbage cans – were empty. Construction of new buildings and roads also will disturb rats, causing them to seek shelter elsewhere.
What do rats eat? In yards, rats have ample food: seeds from birdfeeders, pet food and water in outdoor bowls, fruit from trees, compost piles, garbage, even dog poop and manure. It’s not unusual to see stressed, hungry rats in the garden in daytime.
Rats look for food and water up to 450 feet from their nest. Roof rats nest up high in trees, tall shrubs and the ivy of buildings. Norway rats make burrows in the ground along foundations, raised gardens and under sheds.
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