{"id":24922,"date":"2024-02-09T21:02:30","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T21:02:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crittercontro.wpenginepowered.com\/?post_type=wildlife&#038;p=24922"},"modified":"2025-12-29T18:23:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T23:23:39","slug":"what-do-rats-eat","status":"publish","type":"wildlife","link":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/","title":{"rendered":"What Do Rats Eat?"},"content":{"rendered":"  <div class=\"wildlife-sub-navigation\">\n  <nav class=\"wildlife-sub-nav\" aria-label=\"Animal Navigation\">\n          <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Removal<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-info\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-noises\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Sound<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-sounds\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-droppings\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Scat<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-scat\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n              <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tracks\/\" class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item \">\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-text\">Tracks<\/div>\n        <div class=\"wildlife-sub-nav-item-icon\">\n                      <svg class=\"info\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/themes\/crittercontrol-2.0\/resources\/img\/svg-legend.svg#icon-tracks\"><\/use>\n            <\/svg>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <\/nav>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <section class=\"featured-image\" aria-label=\"featured image\">\n    <div class=\"featured-image-wrapper\">\n      \n\n                                                    \n    \n  <picture>\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 767px, (max-width: 991px) 991px, 1920px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-100x0-c-default.webp 100w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-200x0-c-default.webp 200w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-400x0-c-default.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-600x0-c-default.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-800x0-c-default.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d.webp 1000w\">\n    <source type=\"image\/jpeg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 767px, (max-width: 991px) 991px, 1920px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-100x0-c-default.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-200x0-c-default.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-400x0-c-default.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-600x0-c-default.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d-800x0-c-default.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d.jpg 1000w\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"featured-image-item\" width=\"1000\" height=\"567\" alt=\"Banner_Rat967d\" src=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Banner_Rat967d.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" >\n  <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>What do rats eat? Well, they will eat just about any food they encounter during their daily scavenges. While they may prefer nuts, seeds, fruits, and grains, they are omnivorous. This means they will take any opportunity to eat a wide range of foods, including human and pet foods. Opportunities may be crumbs on your floor or counters, or leftovers sitting on the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rats will enter your home if they think it will lead them to a food source. You may find them in your pantry or see evidence of their presence, like holes in bags or boxes of food. They may even leave a trail of food that leads back to their nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are simple ways to prevent rats from entering your home, starting with understanding and eliminating their food sources. You don\u2019t have to do this alone, however. Critter Control can help you safely and effectively deal with rats in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Do Rats Like to Eat in the Home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rat diets differ from human diets because rats will eat just about anything, even if it is uncooked and still in its packaging. They will chew through bags and boxes to get to cereals, chips, crackers, pasta, sugar, and grains. They will devour crumbs left on counters or floors. Rats even enjoy human trash. What we see as garbage, they see as an opportunity for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-homes\/\">Rats in homes<\/a> tend to feed on pantry items and dry goods like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>cereals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>grains<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pet food<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>other stored food<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They don\u2019t have any favorite foods. However, some rats, like the Norway rats, are known to particularly enjoy eggs, mac and cheese, and cooked corn kernels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing how to protect your groceries and cooked foods from rat contamination will help keep your family safe from any diseases rats may carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do Rats Access Food in the Home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rats have many characteristics that make it easy for them to get into your home and access your food sources. For example, rats have some of the strongest teeth among rodents. They can gnaw through plastic, thin wood, and even thin aluminium packaging. In addition, rats have claws on their feet that allow them to climb, jump, and crawl easily on shelves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rats can smell and follow scents from the outdoors into your garage, kitchen, storage pantry, or anywhere they can find food. Unfortunately, rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a golf ball, making it even easier for them to get into your home. A hole barely noticeable to humans can serve as an<a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-chew\/\"> entry point for rodents.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Keep Rats Out of Household Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although rats are clever when it comes to finding ways into your home, you can outsmart them. There are simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\">rat removal<\/a> steps you can take to keep them out of your household food, protect your family from infestation, and not harm the rats. For example,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep regular cleaning schedules so there are no crumbs or liquid spills to attract a hungry rat. This prevents rats from easily accessing food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pantry foods with packaging that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-chew\/\">rats chew through<\/a> should be stored in rat-resistant containers and sealed. If they can\u2019t sniff or chew the product, you can avoid contamination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Store trash in bins with fitted lids until it is correctly disposed of, reducing scent trails for rats to follow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, you can do everything right to keep rats out of your household food, and you still may find one. It is not your fault. The good news is that with the help of pest control professionals, you can achieve complete prevention and elimination of unwelcome rat populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to Call a Professional<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing when to call a professional for help means knowing the signs of a rat infestation. Some signs may be more evident than others. Look for chewed food packaging and trails of spilled food. Rats are known for leaving<a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-droppings\/\"> rat droppings <\/a>wherever they go, along with urine trails. Rats can enter various areas through small holes. They may even chew holes if a food scent is strong. Finally, you may hear chirping, squeaking, scratching, or chewing noises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than using DIY methods to trap and eliminate rats in your home, contact a professional. Not only can some DIY methods be ineffective, but you must also know the type of rat you have and match it with the right-sized trap and the most effective bait, which will vary. Placing a trap in the wrong place can increase your rat problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Critter Control has a step-by-step process that is highly effective in getting rid of rats for good:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Inspection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identifying rat species to create a tailored plan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Humane removal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sanitation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long-term exclusion and prevention<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Call Critter Control for Safe Rat Removal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see signs of a rat, whether it is in your home or outside in your garden, there are likely other rats nearby. To avoid a rat infestation from becoming a bigger problem or putting your family at risk, contact Critter Control today to get help eliminating sources of a rat diet. We can answer your questions\u2014like \u201cWhat do rats eat?\u201d\u2014and implement rat removal techniques to ensure rats stay out of your home and away from the groceries you need for you and your family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"\/wildlife\/rats\">rat removal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"wildlife-form bottom\">\n  <div class=\"row\">\n    <div class=\"col-md-8\">\n              <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\nvar gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,themeScriptsLoaded:!1,isFormEditor:()=>\"function\"==typeof InitializeEditor,callIfLoaded:function(o){return!(!gform.domLoaded||!gform.scriptsLoaded||!gform.themeScriptsLoaded&&!gform.isFormEditor()||(gform.isFormEditor()&&console.warn(\"The use of gform.initializeOnLoaded() is deprecated in the form editor context and will be removed in Gravity Forms 3.1.\"),o(),0))},initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.callIfLoaded(o)||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.scriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),document.addEventListener(\"gform\/theme\/scripts_loaded\",()=>{gform.themeScriptsLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",()=>{gform.domLoaded=!0,gform.callIfLoaded(o)}))},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,r,e,t)},addFilter:function(o,r,e,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,r,e,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,r){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,r)},removeFilter:function(o,r,e){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,r,e)},addHook:function(o,r,e,t,n){null==gform.hooks[o][r]&&(gform.hooks[o][r]=[]);var d=gform.hooks[o][r];null==n&&(n=r+\"_\"+d.length),gform.hooks[o][r].push({tag:n,callable:e,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(r,o,e){var t;if(e=Array.prototype.slice.call(e,1),null!=gform.hooks[r][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[r][o]).sort(function(o,r){return o.priority-r.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==r?t.apply(null,e):e[0]=t.apply(null,e)})),\"filter\"==r)return e[0]},removeHook:function(o,r,t,n){var e;null!=gform.hooks[o][r]&&(e=(e=gform.hooks[o][r]).filter(function(o,r,e){return!!(null!=n&&n!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][r]=e)}});\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n                <div class='gf_browser_unknown gform_wrapper gravity-theme gform-theme--no-framework styled-form_wrapper' data-form-theme='gravity-theme' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_1' ><div id='gf_1' class='gform_anchor' tabindex='-1'><\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data' target='gform_ajax_frame_1' id='gform_1' class='styled-form' action='\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24922#gf_1' data-formid='1' novalidate> \r\n <input type='hidden' class='gforms-pum' value='{\"closepopup\":false,\"closedelay\":0,\"openpopup\":false,\"openpopup_id\":0}' \/>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><div id='gform_fields_1' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below validation_below'><div id=\"field_1_22\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-select gfield--input-type-select gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_hidden\"  ><div class=\"admin-hidden-markup\"><i class=\"gform-icon gform-icon--hidden\" aria-hidden=\"true\" title=\"This field is hidden when viewing the form\"><\/i><span>This field is hidden when viewing the form<\/span><\/div><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_22'>What do you need help with?<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_select'><select name='input_22' id='input_1_22' class='large gfield_select'     aria-invalid=\"false\" ><option value='' >Select a reason&#8230;<\/option><option value='I saw an animal in\/around my home' >I saw an animal in\/around my home<\/option><option value='I need a quote for preventative services' >I need a quote for preventative services<\/option><option value='I need follow-up or billing help' >I need follow-up or billing help<\/option><option value='I&#039;m a property manager with multiple locations' >I&#039;m a property manager with multiple locations<\/option><option value='Other' >Other<\/option><\/select><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_1\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_1'>Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_1' id='input_1_1' type='text' value='' class='large'    placeholder='Name' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_2\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-email gfield--input-type-email form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_2'>Email:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_email'>\n                            <input name='input_2' id='input_1_2' type='email' value='' class='large'   placeholder='Email' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"  \/>\n                        <\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_18\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_18'>Street Address<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_18' id='input_1_18' type='text' value='' class='large'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_3\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-phone gfield--input-type-phone gfield--width-half form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_3'>Phone:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_phone'><input name='input_3' id='input_1_3' type='tel' value='' class='large'  placeholder='Phone' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_7\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield--input-type-text gfield--width-half form-item gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_7'>5 Digit US Zip \/ Canadian Postal Code:<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_text\">(Required)<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_7' id='input_1_7' type='text' value='' class='large' maxlength='7'   placeholder='ZIP \/ Postal Code' aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_5\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield--input-type-textarea form-item field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_5'>Describe Your Wildlife Issue (Optional):<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_5' id='input_1_5' class='textarea small'    placeholder='Describe Wildlife Issue (Optional):'  aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_14\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-captcha gfield--input-type-captcha gfield--width-full field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below hidden_label field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_1_14'>CAPTCHA<\/label><div id='input_1_14' class='ginput_container ginput_recaptcha' data-sitekey='6LePcb0pAAAAAHqRLrAYyQZoeq5iO15FpDSJVgKv'  data-theme='light' data-tabindex='0'  data-badge=''><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_8\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_8' id='input_1_8' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_9\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_9' id='input_1_9' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_11\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_11' id='input_1_11' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_13\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_13' id='input_1_13' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_12\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_1_12' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_15\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_15' id='input_1_15' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_16\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_16' id='input_1_16' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_19\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_19' id='input_1_19' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_17\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_17' id='input_1_17' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='not set' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_20\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_20' id='input_1_20' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><div id=\"field_1_21\" class=\"gfield gfield--type-hidden gfield--input-type-hidden gfield--width-full gform_hidden field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below field_validation_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  ><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_21' id='input_1_21' type='hidden' class='gform_hidden'  aria-invalid=\"false\" value='' \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n        <div class='gform-footer gform_footer top_label'> <input type='submit' id='gform_submit_button_1' class='gform_button button' onclick='gform.submission.handleButtonClick(this);' data-submission-type='submit' value='Request a Callback'  \/> <input type='hidden' name='gform_ajax' value='form_id=1&amp;title=&amp;description=&amp;tabindex=0&amp;theme=gravity-theme&amp;styles=[]&amp;hash=003c254d28e325ccf7a3db2dab649d80' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submission_method' data-js='gform_submission_method_1' value='iframe' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_theme' data-js='gform_theme_1' id='gform_theme_1' value='gravity-theme' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_style_settings' data-js='gform_style_settings_1' id='gform_style_settings_1' value='[]' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_1' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='1' \/>\n            \n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_currency' data-currency='USD' value='hcrkZhGyww1jTXt2ojVlsN3ZkWpUelkNZHOY7PN0uMWCEvxjGSOVCJhpdH4RgWOmuX80b2uE51dwbZrVoiS16SkpYbOxaXgaNWlNZfQ0IxgTN+g=' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_1' value='WyJ7XCIyMlwiOltcImFmOWQ2NGZmNTU2ZWU2OWQwNTdjMDk5YTU0NGIzY2RiXCIsXCIxNzFiNWVhYzBmODBhNzYzODVjZjI5Y2I3YWYyMGMyNVwiLFwiMDhiNjg5YWVkNDIxZjJjNTNlNWU3N2YzZTRiODEyZGRcIixcIjA4MGEyMzliZDg1NjgwOTFjMmQ2NGYzNTA2OTVmYzgzXCIsXCIzMDQwYTI0ODJjNmI4OTQxZmVjZDA4ZjQ2OTZmNDljN1wiLFwiMzJmOTcwMzYyMGIyZTJhYzIzNjEzM2UwYjhiOGMzNDdcIl19IiwiMTBmZWNhZTJhMzk3MGMwMGNiYjVlMjM5ZjU1YTVmYmQiXQ==' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_1' id='gform_target_page_number_1' value='0' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' autocomplete='off' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_1' id='gform_source_page_number_1' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' \/>\n            \n        <\/div>\n                        <\/form>\n                        <\/div>\n\t\t                <iframe style='display:none;width:0px;height:0px;' src='about:blank' name='gform_ajax_frame_1' id='gform_ajax_frame_1' title='This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms.'><\/iframe>\n\t\t                <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 1, 'https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_1').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_1');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_1').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { \/* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome *\/ jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').offset().top - mt); }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_1').val();gformInitSpinner( 1, 'https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [1, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}jQuery('#gform_wrapper_1').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).scrollTop(jQuery('#gf_1').offset().top - mt);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [1]);window['gf_submitting_1'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_1').text());}else{jQuery('#gform_1').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger(\"gform_pre_post_render\", [{ formId: \"1\", currentPage: \"current_page\", abort: function() { this.preventDefault(); } }]);        if (event && event.defaultPrevented) {                return;        }        const gformWrapperDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_wrapper_1\" );        if ( gformWrapperDiv ) {            const visibilitySpan = document.createElement( \"span\" );            visibilitySpan.id = \"gform_visibility_test_1\";            gformWrapperDiv.insertAdjacentElement( \"afterend\", visibilitySpan );        }        const visibilityTestDiv = document.getElementById( \"gform_visibility_test_1\" );        let postRenderFired = false;        function triggerPostRender() {            if ( postRenderFired ) {                return;            }            postRenderFired = true;            gform.core.triggerPostRenderEvents( 1, current_page );            if ( visibilityTestDiv ) {                visibilityTestDiv.parentNode.removeChild( visibilityTestDiv );            }        }        function debounce( func, wait, immediate ) {            var timeout;            return function() {                var context = this, args = arguments;                var later = function() {                    timeout = null;                    if ( !immediate ) func.apply( context, args );                };                var callNow = immediate && !timeout;                clearTimeout( timeout );                timeout = setTimeout( later, wait );                if ( callNow ) func.apply( context, args );            };        }        const debouncedTriggerPostRender = debounce( function() {            triggerPostRender();        }, 200 );        if ( visibilityTestDiv && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent === null ) {            const observer = new MutationObserver( ( mutations ) => {                mutations.forEach( ( mutation ) => {                    if ( mutation.type === 'attributes' && visibilityTestDiv.offsetParent !== null ) {                        debouncedTriggerPostRender();                        observer.disconnect();                    }                });            });            observer.observe( document.body, {                attributes: true,                childList: false,                subtree: true,                attributeFilter: [ 'style', 'class' ],            });        } else {            triggerPostRender();        }    } );} ); \n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"form-caption\">\n    <h3>Get them out.<br\/>\n      Keep them out.\u00ae<\/h3>\n      Experiencing a wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control\u00ae office will contact you to assist.\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n  <section class=\"testimonials-block gutenberg-block  has_bg\" id=\"block_ccf0f6111e47b162699fcbbc79813b56\" style=\"--bg-color:#f6b221\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n      <div class=\"testimonials-block__top\">\n        \n                  <div class=\"title\"><p><span style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n        \n                  <div class=\"text\"><p><span style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"testimonials-block__inner\">\n      <div data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.trustindex.io\/loader.js?b8fc6472712d039a04765ace0c2\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"container\">\n      <div class=\"testimonials-block__pagination\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n  <div class=\"wildlife-detail-heading\">Quicklinks<\/div>\n<div class=\"row\">\n  <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n    <ul class=\"link-list full\">\n                        <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/baby-rats\/\">Baby Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-repellents\/\">Do Rat Repellents Work?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/winter\/\">Do Rats Hibernate in Winter?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/dead-rat\/\">Dead Rat<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-droppings\/\">Rat Droppings<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/diseases-from-rats\/\">Diseases from Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-bites\/\">Rat Bites<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-life-cycle\/\">Rat Life Cycle<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-noises\/\">Identify Rat Noises Inside Your Home<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tracks\/\">Rat Tracks<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-traps-baits\/\">Rat Traps &#038; Baits<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rat-tunnels-in-attic\/\">Rat Tunnels in Attic<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-cars\/\">Rats in Cars<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-crawl-space\/\">Rats in Crawl Space<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-homes\/\">Rats in Homes<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-in-walls\/\">Rats in Walls<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/types-of-rats\/\">Types of Rats<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/rats-chew\/\">What Can Rats Chew Through<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-does-a-rat-look-like\/\">What Does a Rat Look Like?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <li>\n              <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/where-do-rats-nest\/\">Where Do Rats Nest?<\/a>\n          <\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":22441,"parent":23198,"menu_order":0,"template":"","wildlife_category":[],"wildlife_tag":[],"class_list":["post-24922","wildlife","type-wildlife","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Rat Diet Information: What Do Rats Eat?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control &amp; eliminate a rat infestation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Do Rats Eat?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control &amp; eliminate a rat infestation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Critter Control\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-29T23:23:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services%20Landing\/com-rat.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"260\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"235\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@crittercontrol\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/\",\"name\":\"Rat Diet Information: What Do Rats Eat?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-02-09T21:02:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-29T23:23:39+00:00\",\"description\":\"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control & eliminate a rat infestation.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat.jpg\",\"width\":260,\"height\":235,\"caption\":\"rat on dinner plate\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/what-do-rats-eat\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Wildlife\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Pest Control for Rats\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/wildlife\\\/rats\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"What Do Rats Eat?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Critter Control\",\"description\":\"Get Them Out. Keep Them Out. \u00ae\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Critter Control\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png\",\"width\":85,\"height\":47,\"caption\":\"Critter Control\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/CritterControl\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/crittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/crittercontrolofficial\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@crittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/critter-control\\\/about\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@officialcrittercontrol\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/crittercontrolofficial\\\/\"],\"description\":\"For over forty years, Critter Control has helped homeowners and property owners protect their property from nuisance wildlife problems.\",\"email\":\"info@crittercontrol.com\",\"telephone\":\"1-800-274-8837\",\"legalName\":\"Critter Control, INC\",\"foundingDate\":\"1984-06-05\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"201\",\"maxValue\":\"500\"}},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat-150x150.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat-150x150.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.crittercontrol.com\\\/crittercontrol\\\/crittercontrol\\\/media\\\/CritterControl\\\/Services Landing\\\/com-rat-150x150.jpg\",\"caption\":\"\",\"inLanguage\":\"en_US\",\"width\":150,\"height\":150}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Rat Diet Information: What Do Rats Eat?","description":"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control & eliminate a rat infestation.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What Do Rats Eat?","og_description":"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control & eliminate a rat infestation.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/","og_site_name":"Critter Control","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/","article_modified_time":"2025-12-29T23:23:39+00:00","og_image":[{"width":260,"height":235,"url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@crittercontrol","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/","name":"Rat Diet Information: What Do Rats Eat?","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat.jpg","datePublished":"2024-02-09T21:02:30+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-29T23:23:39+00:00","description":"What Do Rats Eat? Learn about the diet of rats, how to keep them out of household food, and the best ways to control & eliminate a rat infestation.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat.jpg","width":260,"height":235,"caption":"rat on dinner plate"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/what-do-rats-eat\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Wildlife","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Pest Control for Rats","item":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wildlife\/rats\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"What Do Rats Eat?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/","name":"Critter Control","description":"Get Them Out. Keep Them Out. \u00ae","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#organization","name":"Critter Control","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/Critter-Control-Logo-header-desktop-scroll.png","width":85,"height":47,"caption":"Critter Control"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CritterControl\/","https:\/\/x.com\/crittercontrol","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/crittercontrolofficial\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@crittercontrol","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/critter-control\/about\/","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@officialcrittercontrol","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/crittercontrolofficial\/"],"description":"For over forty years, Critter Control has helped homeowners and property owners protect their property from nuisance wildlife problems.","email":"info@crittercontrol.com","telephone":"1-800-274-8837","legalName":"Critter Control, INC","foundingDate":"1984-06-05","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"201","maxValue":"500"}},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat-150x150.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/crittercontrol\/crittercontrol\/media\/CritterControl\/Services Landing\/com-rat-150x150.jpg","caption":"","inLanguage":"en_US","width":150,"height":150}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24922","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wildlife"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/24922\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife\/23198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24922"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"wildlife_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife_category?post=24922"},{"taxonomy":"wildlife_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.crittercontrol.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wildlife_tag?post=24922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}