Updated: March 25th, 2025

Rats are known for their strong jaws, which allow them to chew through many different materials as they search for food and shelter. The jaw muscles of a rat can exert up to 12 tons (or 24,000 pounds) per square inch. By comparison, a great white shark bites with a force of 1.8 to 2 tons per square inch.

Rat’s front teeth, called incisors, grow continuously throughout their lives, so they will gnaw on things to keep them from getting too long. Because of their powerful chewing ability, rats can chew through various materials, making them a potential problem for homes and buildings. To help protect your home, it's important to have a good rodent control plan in place.

tmx rats chewing

House materials weak to rats

Rats are persistent chewers, capable of gnawing through a surprising variety of materials. Here's a list of everyday household items that rats can chew through:

  • Wood: Baseboards, furniture, cabinets, and structural beams.

  • Cardboard: Boxes, packaging materials, and paper products.

  • Drywall: Interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and attics.

  • Plastic: Food containers, water bottles, pipes, and electrical cords.

  • Metal: Soft metals like aluminum, lead, and copper.

  • Concrete: Uncured or weakened concrete.

  • Brick: Soft or damaged bricks.

  • Electrical wiring: A significant fire hazard.

  • Insulation: Fiberglass and foam insulation.

One fact unknown to property owners is that rats are the cause of many building fires. In their quest to keep their incisors filed down, they gnaw through electrical wiring. This can cause the wires to short circuit, potentially starting a fire.

Are there any ‘rat-proof’ materials?

Now we know what rats can chew through, but what can rats not chew through? While rats have powerful teeth, they are not invincible. Materials like hardened steel, thick concrete, and certain metal alloys are too tough for rats to penetrate. These materials are often used in rodent-proofing measures, such as steel mesh, heavy-duty hardware cloth, and reinforced concrete foundations.

Choosing a pest provider to prevent rats in the first place

When it comes to keeping your home safe from rats, hiring a professional pest control company is one of the smartest decisions you can make. At Terminix, we understand the importance of prevention in protecting your property. Our rat control services not only address existing infestations but also focus on proactive measures to help stop rats from entering your home in the first place.

We use advanced materials like Flexi ArmorTM products, made of durable knitted stainless steel mesh, and other materials that rats cannot chew through to help deny their entry. Our technicians use these products to seal potential entry points like gaps around pipes, vents, and cracks in the foundation. Schedule an inspection to get started!