Rats are a dangerous and pernicious threat that has the world in a death grip. The rat is considered by both the UN and by nearly all world governments to be one of the biggest threats to human life, more severe than war, more deadly than disease and more destructive than a demolition crew. There are many ways that rats can cause destruction, from causing disease, like the plague in the 16th century, causing destruction to food stores, like your pantry, or a UN emergency food supply for countries often hit by disasters. Billions of dollars in food stores have been destroyed by rats. If the UN cannot protect themselves from rats on their own it can be assumed that a rat infestation is beyond the scope of most civilians. Dealing with rats takes years of experience and training, learning to identify entryways and find the nesting location on the exterior. Professional technicians also have access to commercial-grade positions and tools. They can resolve any type of infestation, including one under your shed or house.
Rats are burrowing animals. They live in holes in the ground like many types of small animals. Rats are strongly attracted to sources of water so if you have a leaky hose you may find rats on your property. There are a lot of things you can do to control the rat issue on your property by taking away the things they came for. Bird feeders, feeding animals outside and eating outside yourself without being careful. Crumbs will bring rats to your property, just crumbs.
The reason rats try to cover their burrows or try to burrow under things is because they are highly paranoid and want total security when they sleep. They will pull objects over their burrows and this can include large concrete blocks. They will go to any distance to protect themselves. This is why they burrowed under your shed. Thankfully there is a way to resolve this issue before the rats manage to destroy your home.
A professional, experienced and trained rodent technician can inspect your home for rodent activity and entryways, burrows and anything they can do to get in or under your home. If the issue is severe and if you lack a foundation than the technician will be able to do a process called trenching. Trenching involves digging a one-foot wide by one-foot deep mote around your home or shed or deck. The technician will then attach steel mesh to the bottom of the house, which will be visible when buried, and lay it into the ground one-foot down and one foot out. This will be buried and will act as a very effective shield against all types of burrowing animals.
You can do this as well, just make sure to use bolts with wide washers when adhering the steel mesh to your deck or shed. The trenching process is not too hard but will take a lot of time so enlisting help would make the job easier. When its complete always do a full inspection for any tiny areas you may have missed. Remember rats are small and can fit in tiny entryways.
