When people picture rats, they picture the walls or the kitchen. But rats are opportunists, and a warm, dark, undisturbed space is all they need. Here are nine hiding spots most people never think to check — until the scratching starts.
1. Behind and under the fridge
The motor keeps it warm, and nobody moves it for months. Prime real estate.
2. Inside the sofa or armchair
The hollow base of upholstered furniture is soft, dark and rarely disturbed — an ideal nest.
3. The false ceiling
A whole hidden floor of warm, quiet space with easy runs along the beams.
4. Behind the washing machine
Warmth, a nearby water supply, and a gap to the wall — three draws in one spot.
5. Storerooms and lofts
Boxes, old clothes and clutter give rats both shelter and nesting material.
6. Inside kitchen cabinets and their kickboards
The sealed space beneath base cabinets is a favourite highway and nesting spot.
7. Wall voids around pipes
Wherever a pipe enters a wall, there is usually a gap — and a gap of 2 cm is a doorway.
8. The garage or car parked inside it
Quiet, sheltered and often cluttered; from here they move into a car's engine bay too.
9. Behind large appliances and electronics
TVs, servers and set-top boxes give off warmth and sit undisturbed against the wall.
How to reclaim the space
Once you know where they hide, the fix is the same: declutter, seal gaps larger than 2 cm, remove food and water, and make the spot actively unpleasant. The EchoRepel Ultrasonic Rat Repellent keeps problem areas uncomfortable so rats do not settle in. For sealing and prevention, see how to rat-proof your house.