Why Do Rats Eat Soap? (Kinda Funny Why)
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Rats are curious, opportunistic eaters. They try new foods and will gnaw on many things people don't think of as food, including soap.
So why do rats eat soap? Many bar soaps are made from animal fat or plant oils, which rats treat as food. A nibble usually won't hurt a wild rat, but soap is not food and can upset the stomach.
Some common questions have been answered in this article. Read on to find out!
Related Article: Do Rats Make Noise When They Die
Do Rats Like To Eat Soap?
Rats are drawn to fatty foods, and many soaps are made from fats and oils. Soap isn't a favorite food, but rats that find it often gnaw on it.
Is Soap Toxic To Rats?
Soap isn't meant to be eaten. Small amounts may cause no harm or only mild stomach upset, while larger amounts can make an animal sick.
Small amounts won't drive rats away, so soap doesn't work as a repellent.
What Will Happen To Rats If They Eat Soap?
Usually not much. A wild rat that nibbles a bar of soap will probably just treat it as a snack.
Rats eat a wide range of foods. University of California pest experts note that Norway rats prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts and some fruits, while roof rats prefer fruits, nuts, berries, snails and bird eggs. Both will eat garbage and pet food.
How To Avoid Rats From Eating Your Soap?
Some people believe the smell of soap keeps rats away. There is no good evidence for this.
UC IPM says that no repellents have been found to solve a rat problem for more than a very short time.
Soap ingredients have been studied for other reasons. In a UC San Diego and UC Davis study, mice exposed to the antimicrobial triclosan for six months were more susceptible to chemical-induced liver tumors.
That was a laboratory study in mice, not rats, and it says nothing about soap working as a repellent.
To keep rats away from your soap, store it in a closed cabinet or container, and deal with the rats themselves (see below).
Does Soap Keep Rats Away?
No. This is a common myth. Rats may even eat the soap that is put out to repel them.
Is Soap Good Bait For Rats?
Some people claim strong-smelling soap repels rats, but this isn't supported by evidence. Don't rely on soap to protect your home.
Exclusion and sanitation, covered below, are what actually work.
My Pet Rat Ate Soap, What Should I do?
Remove the soap and call your vet, especially if your rat ate more than a tiny amount or the soap was scented or antibacterial.
Don't try home remedies to "absorb" the soap. Watch for drooling, diarrhea, lethargy or loss of appetite, and follow your vet's advice.
Other Reasons Why Rats Eat Soap
Rats are omnivores. They eat grains, seeds, fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, insects, pet food and garbage.
Rats also gnaw constantly, because their front teeth never stop growing. Soap, plastic and wood can all end up chewed.
How To Keep Rats Out?
Rats like to hide in dense plants and clutter. Thin out vegetation, keep climbing plants off buildings, and trim tree limbs that hang near your roof.
Rats like to hide under piles of wood, appliances, furniture, and cars, and even in trashcans. Keep woodpiles away from your home, and take out the trash often.
Check around your house for holes or entry points. Look for gaps around windows, doors, wiring and pipes.
UC IPM advises sealing openings larger than 1/4 inch with steel wool, wire screen or sheet metal. Rats can chew through plastic, foam, wood and caulk, and they can pass through lightweight chicken wire.
Make sure no bricks are missing from fireplaces and chimney areas. Replace bricks if any are found missing to fill the gaps.
Attached garages can be easy entry points because their doors often don't fit tightly. Rats can squeeze under a door through a 1/2-inch gap.
Make the garage less attractive by removing hiding spots and sealing holes. Don't store trash there unless it is in containers with tight lids.
Check windows, doors and screen doors for gaps, and fix any you find.
Rats need water. Fix leaks, and don't leave standing water in buckets, plant saucers or under air conditioners.
Foods that attract rats include pet food, fallen fruit and nuts, bird seed, garbage, berries and pet feces. Remove these sources from your yard and garage.
If you feed birds, clean up spilled seed, and consider pausing feeding until the rats are gone. Store pet food in rodent-proof containers and feed pets only what they will eat.
Keep garbage in containers with tight lids, and don't leave trash bags outside. Do not compost meat, fats, bones, oils, or dairy waste. Pick up dog feces from the yard.
Final Thoughts
Rats eat soap because many soaps are made from fats and oils. A nibble rarely hurts a wild rat, but soap won't repel them.
To control rats, remove food and water, seal entry points, and call a professional if the problem is large. If a pet rat eats soap, call your vet.
Sources
- Rats (Pest Notes), University of California Statewide IPM Program
- Soap antimicrobial may damage liver and raise cancer risk, mouse study shows, UC Davis
