Do rats bite?
While actually getting bitten by a rat in your sleep is not very common, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. One case we came across was in Enfield some years ago.
The customer was asleep in bed, and was woken up with a sudden ” pinch and sharp pain” to the arm. After jumping up and looking under her bed, she quickly discovered who the culprit was. Yes, it was a brown rat.
Any rat bite is likely to be exposed areas on your skin such as your arms, legs, feet, or hands. Sometimes, it will even be on parts of your face, but could be just a rat walking on your skin. Their sharp claws are enough to feel like little teeth on your skin. This mostly comes from your skin feeling irritated from the feeling of these little sharp claws walking over you.
Signs of a rat bite
Any small pinch or graze to the skin is going to cause some minor level of pain. Signs of a rat bite can often vary, but likely to include pain, bleeding, redness, and swelling at the bite site. It’s important to note that a scratch from a rat can be easily mistaken for a bite.
Some reasons why rats bite
Rats are actually very cautious, and scared of humans. They are extremely careful when coming into contact with people, or any animals perceived to be a threat. They prefer to move around when it’s dark and quiet, which gives a rat a sense of security. In the early stages of a rat infestation, you’re likely to hear some noises before a sighting.
So why would a rat bite a human? The likelihood remains, it’s simply accidental and out of fear and panic. A fight or flight response to protect itself. It’s also important to know that rats have poor eyesight, especially in dark environments, rats may bite exposed body parts like hands or fingers while exploring or searching for food. If a rat is in your home while you’re sleeping, and you went to bed with a late-night snack, there is a chance the rat would jump up for any leftover crumbs.
Why do rats come into bedrooms?
Rats will enter homes and will go into any room, including a bedroom, primarily searching for three things: food, water, and shelter/warmth.
Here are the most common reasons a rat would be in your bedroom:
Food: If you eat in your bedroom, crumbs, spilled food and wrappers can attract them. Most often, people tend to leave snacks in their work or gym bags. If you like to snack in your room while working from home or watching some TV, bits of food can quickly build up around your bed. Rats have an excellent sense of smell. Having a food waste bin in your bedroom, could also be an attractant for rats.
Shelter: Rats are always on the hunt for a safe place to call home . Cluttered and undisturbed areas like piles of clothing, suitcases, provide excellent cover and nesting materials.
Warmth: Especially in colder months, rats seek the comforts of a heated home. Let’s be honest, would you rather be cosied up indoors or outside hiding out in the sewers or beneath the garden decking? Rats are quite happy to move around under the floorboards or inside the wall cavities , which is safe and warm.
Symptoms of rat bites
Fever, Headache, Muscle and Joint Pain, Skin Rash are possible symptoms of rat bites or scratches. There are some steps you can take after being bitten by an animal. NHS advice.
Types of disease from Rat bites and contact
- Rat-Bite Fever (RBF) Bacterial Bite, scratch, or contact with saliva, urine, or feces.
- Leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)
- Salmonellosis
Stop rats
Below are some simple steps you can take to stop rats getting into your bedroom as prevision is always the best approach.
To get rid of the rat, you need to follow a process:
- Remove Attractants: Clean up any food sources (crumbs, spills, pet food) and declutter to eliminate nesting sites. Store all food in sealed, heavy-duty plastic or glass containers.
- Find and Seal Entry Points: Inspect your room, walls, and the exterior of your house for any holes or gaps the size of a coin or larger. Use materials rats cannot chew through, like steel wool, metal mesh, or concrete to seal them.
- Trapping: Use snap traps (considered the most effective and humane), electric traps, or humane live traps in the area where you see the rat activity (along walls and behind furniture).
- Consider Professional Help: If the problem persists, it’s best to contact a licensed pest control professional, as a rat sighting often indicates a larger, hidden infestation.
Very rarely will a rat bite you in your sleep, and if it does, it will most likely be accidental. While the thought of a rat coming into your bed, while terrifying (or any bites at night), it is still a rare occurrence. If after all your hard work, and despite all your best efforts, you still continue to experience rat activity on your property, it is time to call in professional help for rat extermination and control . Contact us at Sparta Pest Control.
Disclaimer
This blog is purely for educational purposes and professional medical advice should always be sought with any rat bites and contact.
