Oakland Rat Removal Tip: What Can Rodents Chew Through? What Materials Can Rodents Chew Through?

Rodents, also commonly known as rats or mice, usually chew on materials like metal, wood, glass, plastic, concrete, brick, aluminum and vinyl. Why is that so? Let's examine some of these materials individually below.

1. Wood: Though wood looks hard and may seem difficult for rodents to gnaw on, it is as a matter of fact untrue. Wood material rots easily, especially when the weather is hot or humid. Not only that, rodents find wood attractive to gnaw, as the more they are able to chew off into shreds, the more comfortable their home bedding will be for them to poop and urinate. Rodents also tend to gnaw on wood often to groom their front teeth short yet sharp.

2. Plastic: Plastic is one of the many common materials that rodents prefer to choose. Gnawing on plastic is beneficial for rodents, as it prevents their teeth to overgrow. Additionally, most of humanly-consumed food are packaged in plastic-like material packets. This will attract rodents to chew on such material for their food supply.

3. Aluminum: Aluminum is considered as one of the soft metal types. With rodents' teeth being strong and hard, this soft metal material is one of their favorites to gnaw and chew to keep their teeth trimmed.

4. Concrete: It is not possible for rodents to choose to chew on solid concrete, unless those concretes are under-maintained or have holes. Rodents tend to chew through weak concrete foundation to obtain entry into houses, causing infestation thereafter.

5. Vinyl: For those who may not be aware what vinyl is, it is a man-made plastic material commonly known as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This is often used for water pipes and floorings. In spite of being resistant to humidity and moisture, it is categorized as a stronger plastic material type. However, rodents' teeth are much stronger. Once rodents start to chew and gnaw in their litters, vinyl will be easily corrode.