I’m sure you have heard people saying before that “it must have been the rain that brought the rats out.” The rain’s supposed effect on rodents is a common belief, but is it true? And if so, is your car more at risk when it rains?
First, let’s revisit rodent behavior and decipher between different types of rodents to try and figure this out.
Are some types of rodents more likely to leave their current shelter when it rains?
In the most general sense, all types of rodents prefer a warm, dry place to live and nest (with the exception of rabbits who literally abandon their kin since birth). Some types of rodents live in shelter that may be more prone to become wet from rain.
Norway Rats, wild mice, and wild rabbits all live in underground burrows that are certainly more susceptible to flooding. A heavy downpour could flood their burrows and force the rodents to find new shelter.
Roof Rats and non- nesting squirrels live in trees and in elevated locations, so the rain might not have an effect on whether they are more likely to flee their home.
Pack Rats typically build their middens on the ground level and squirrels when nesting usually live in above ground shelter, so they could be more susceptible to flooding.
With the above said, I would say “yes” that collectively rodents are more likely to leave their burrow or nest if there is rain. This is certainly due to eliminating one of the two requirements that rodents have for a home, dry and warm (i.e. the “dry” requirement).
Now onto the most important question:
Is your car more at risk from rodent damage when it rains?
I would certainly say “yes!”. Car engine compartments, when comparing to their burrows, is like comparing a rundown Motel 6 to a 5 Star Hotel with all the amenities (e.g. heat, shelter, safety, food, chew toys, etc.)
So in the event of a heavy downpour make sure you have your defenses up on your car. Don’t be the next victim!
I hope that this information has been helpful! For any questions/comments, please drop a note below!
Thank you!!
Rat King Dave
This page contains Amazon Affiliate links. I will receive a commission for any purchases made through these links, though at no additional cost to you.
Hi Sheila
I was looking for info on how to make a sealed bird feeder or similar to avoid rats been able to reach and i saw your comments about your bird feeder with rat proof barriers. Please could you attach some photos? I would like to do that too.
i had few bird feeders in the garden but it attracted two mice and two rats Not good!
Thank you
Eli
Hi Eli! I’m so sorry for never responding to you. I took a few years leave from my duties as Rat King, but now I am back! I tried looking for reference to the bird feeder and I don’t see that unfortunately. I could see though how a bird feeder could attract rodents though since the birds always tend to spill some of the seeds on the ground below the feeder. Ultimately, you would need some sort of way to prevent the seeds from falling to the ground yet still have the catcher hang from the bird feeder. Anyways sorry I can’t be of much assistance here, hope you found a solution and thank you for your comment! RKD
Yes we live in our motor home and we cant seem to get rid of these rats how do we get rid of them please we have twwo small children what do i do
Hi Jessica, oh man.. honestly, I would call an exterminator. Rats are super dangerous to humans and if the safety of your children is being threatened, I would get some professional help asap. Keep your children away from the motorhome as much as possible. The real danger of rodents is when you breath in the particles from their feces or if you get bit. Here is an article from the CDC on how to properly clean up droppings. Follow it to a T. Until the professional help arrives, I would place rat traps at the bases and tops of all tires and bait with Peanut Butter (just please keep your children away from the tires!). Leave the hood up to take away the shelter from the engine compartment. This is the best advice I can give and I hope this helps. Please let me know if any more questions pop up. Thank you. RKD
Good advice Dave! I have also noticed that rats move inside when it starts raining, we have both black rats & Norway rats here, both show up more often after the rains start.
Too bad I can’t keep a cat but I have too many breakables in my house & I will not have a “out door” cat, they kill too much of our wildlife, especially our native BIRDS & I have bird feeders that I have rat proofed with barriers they can’t climb over made from plastic milk cartons taped to the posts supporting those feeders, other feeders are elevated trays I take inside each late evening then I leave bait out just for the rats. It’s not a poison, it’s a product called “RatX” that’s suppose to mess up their ability to get thirsty so they dehydrate themselves to death, it’s not suppose to affect any other animal so it’s safe to use around your pets, ponds, children etc.
Thanks Sheila! Wow, I had never heard of RatX. I just did a little research and it sounds pretty revolutionary! The huge drawback from poisons is the collateral damage, but that’s not a worry with RatX (super cool!). How well has it been working for you? Do you notice that the rodents are taking the bait? On a separate note, have you thought about getting an owl box? It sounds like you live in a rural area and might be a nice long term solution for you (plus you get to hang out with some owls! haha).