Rats can cause serious damage to buildings and infrastructure by gnawing on electrical wires, pipes, and other materials. However, one of the most common questions that people ask is whether rats can gnaw through concrete to get into buildings. The answer to this question is… yes!
How Can Rats Gnaw Through Concrete?
Concrete is not indestructible, and it can be damaged by many factors, including moisture, temperature changes, and, of course, gnawing from rats.
Significantly, rats are well-known for their sharp teeth and powerful jaws – a deadly combination for concrete buildings.
Here’s an example of a building we visited with concrete that had been damaged significantly by rats:
This type of damage would only take a rat less than an hour to cause and then gain entry to the property. The teeth marks indicate that entrance into the property was made straight up into the wall cavity, meaning access all around the building.
Mitigating Factors & Prevention
However, the ability of rats to damage concrete depends on several factors, including the type of concrete, the thickness of the slab, and the size and strength of the rat. In general, newer concrete slabs that are thicker and made with strong cements are less likely to be damaged by rats.
To prevent rats from gnawing through concrete and getting into buildings, it is important to maintain the concrete in good condition, fill any cracks or weaknesses, and keep the building free of debris and food waste that might attract rats.
Summary
Rats can indeed gnaw through concrete due to the strength of their jaws and razor sharp teeth. The damage they cause to concrete can vary greatly depending on moisture, temperature, the size of both the concrete slab and the rat itself. Building maintenance and clearance of waste are key to preventing rats from causing damage or – as a greater consequence – gaining entrance to the building itself.
