The presence of rodents in the sewer system. Why are there rats in the sewers?
Rats and other rodents are residents that no one wants in their homes or nearby. Especially in winter, these small but clever creatures find their way to places that offer them shelter from the cold – one of these places is sewers. What makes these rodents see sewers as the perfect refuge for the winter months?
Why do rats choose sewers as a shelter
Rodents in the sewer system, especially rats, have found the ideal place to shelter for the winter, not only because of the small temperature difference between the sewers and the cold air on the surface. Above all, the sewer system offers shelter that is difficult for predators to access, which significantly increases the rats’ chances of survival. The low exposure to potential threats from natural enemies allows them to move safely and find food.
Rats in sewers also benefit from access to many resources that are essential for survival in harsh winter conditions. The main advantages of rats choosing sewers include:
- year-round even temperatures, which contribute to less cooling of the body,
- protection from predators thanks to difficult-to-access corridors,
- easy access to food and waste that enters the sewers from municipal sewage,
- isolation from external weather conditions such as strong winds, snow and frost.
- The possibility of easily expanding the territory thanks to a network of interconnected sewers.
All these factors together make rodents in the sewer system perfectly adapted to (winter) living.
The impact of rodents in sewers on infrastructure
The presence of rodents in sewers has many negative effects on urban infrastructure. Rats have extremely strong teeth and can gnaw through a variety of materials, posing a serious threat to cables and pipelines in the sewer system. When they are in these hard-to-reach places, they can damage electrical installations, which carries the risk of power outages and increases repair costs. Rats can also affect the condition of water pipes and sewage systems, causing leaks and blockages that impede the proper functioning of the entire system.
In addition, rodents in sewers can damage cable insulation, increasing the risk of short circuits and thus electrical network failures. The waste often found in sewers can attract even more rodents, which contributes to further damage. In the context of urban infrastructure, this problem is not only a technical challenge, but also an economic one, as removing the effects of rats in sewers often requires significant financial outlay to restore damaged components to their original condition.
Natural behaviour of rodents in winter
The natural behaviour of rodents in winter is closely related to their survival instinct, which prompts them to look for places that offer suitable conditions for survival in difficult weather conditions. When the temperature drops, rodents such as rats become more active in their search for a safe shelter and access to the resources they need to survive. Rodents in the sewage system are not a coincidence but the result of their natural need to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Sewer systems are an excellent place to take shelter, offering stable thermal insulation conditions and protection from natural predators.
Rats are characterised by their exceptional ability to adapt and explore new territories, which makes them one of the most intelligent inhabitants of urban environments. In the winter months, they travel extensively through sewer systems, using their structures to expand their range. This allows them to effectively avoid external threats while taking advantage of the resources that enter the system in the form of waste from municipal sewage.
Strategies for combating rodents in urban areas
Strategies to combat rodents in urban sewers are crucial to minimise the damage these clever creatures can cause to infrastructure. Rodent control, or the control of rat populations through the use of chemicals, is one of the most popular solutions. It is an effective method of reducing the number of rodents in sewers, especially when combined with other strategies that eliminate their shelters and food sources. Regular monitoring of potential rat infestation sites is also important. Monitoring systems allow for a quick response and the implementation of countermeasures if rats are detected.
Another approach is to seal urban infrastructure, which prevents further rodent penetration into sewers and eliminates potential breeding sites. In addition to chemical and mechanical technologies, biological methods, such as the introduction of natural predators, are becoming increasingly popular. It is also important to educate the public about the consequences of leaving waste behind and to implement solutions to limit access to it. Effective rodent control in sewers requires the cooperation of many municipal units, a coherent strategy and the use of the latest technologies, which contributes to better management of public health and urban infrastructure resources.