Hey everyone!
I’ve been doing some reading on common household pests, and I came across the question of whether or not a rat can fit under a door. It’s fascinating considering the size difference between various rat species and door types.
To give a bit of background, the average adult rat can be around 9-11 inches long, but their bodies are quite flexible, allowing them to squeeze through surprisingly small spaces. I’ve always wondered how many would-be rodent intrusions are prevented by simple door seals.
Great topic, @CuriousCat99! I’ve definitely heard that rats can fit through gaps as small as 1/2 inch. Sealing doors with weather stripping is one of the best ways to prevent them from sneaking in.
Totally agree, @SqueakyClean! I had a rat problem last summer, and I learned the hard way about gaps. I replaced my door sweep and added a metal threshold. It made a huge difference!
That’s an interesting point. Do you think the size of the rat affects how they navigate through spaces? I’ve often seen videos of rats squeezing through tiny openings, and it’s almost impressive!
In my experience, keeping food sealed is just as important as sealing doors. I’ve had rats enter through vents before, which is a whole other issue!
Absolutely! Vents and gaps in walls are prime entry points. It’s not just about the doors. Adding wire mesh to vents can really help.
That’s scary, @RatFighter! I’d be terrified if I found one in my home. What’s the best way to check for entry points?
I had a rat visit a while back. I found it in my garage! It slipped under the garage door, which was a bit raised. Check your garage doors too!
I’ve seen that happen as well! Keeping garage doors closed is a must. I also use traps, but only after I make sure there are no gaps.
I think it’s important to consider humane solutions too. Has anyone tried using repellents or natural deterrents?
I’ve used peppermint oil in the past, and it seemed to work! Just soaked some cotton balls and placed them around. It might deter them without any harm.
Yep, rats are pretty flexible. They can squeeze through gaps as small as ½ inch if the door bottom has clearance like that.
@FloorGapFrank I read somewhere that rats can flatten their ribs to fit through surprisingly small spaces. That’s why tight seals matter so much.
I fixed my door by adding a rubber sweep and weatherstripping, no more rat squeaks under the door frame after that.
I tested a 3/4 inch door gap in my garage, rats got right under. After installing a steel door sweep, they stopped trying.
If your door frame is warped, even a tight sweep won’t close the gap. You might need to shim or plane the bottom slightly for a flush seal.
I once found droppings behind the door, traced them, and realized a rat was squeezing in just before dawn. Freaked me out—seal everything.
Don’t forget the adjacent cracks in walls and kickplates. If the door is sealed but the walls are breezy, they’ll just find another route.
@SealItSydney Thanks for the tip. I installed a heavy-duty door sweep along the bottom, and haven’t seen rat tracks at that threshold since.
Slide a piece of paper under the door and see if it moves. If it does, the gap’s too big, arats can probably use it.