Do Hamsters Attract Rats? What About Other Pests?

People tend to avoid getting a hamster because they believe that the little guy will start attracting pests like bugs, mice, and rats, into their home. This is a fair concern and one that we are going to relieve you of today.

Ready to find out the truth? Let’s jump straight into the details!

Do Hamsters Attract Rats

Do Hamsters Attract Rats?

Rats are not attracted to hamsters (even though they are both rodents). In fact, each species of rodent has its unique smell that puts off others. So, you truly don’t have to worry about your hamster attracting these wild pests into your house.

You might find yourself wondering “do hamsters attract mice” now. Thankfully, the answer is no. Mice do not like the smell of hamsters, so they generally avoid places where they live.

However, it’s important to note that hamsters aren’t a very useful deterrent to rats and mice. Even though they’ll usually avoid hamster cages, that doesn’t mean that these wild rodents won’t try to call your house their home.

For those of you who have a hamster (or hamsters) and are struggling with pest control, we’re going to dive into that a bit later so stick with us. But for now, let’s take a look at whether your hamster could be attracting bugs.

See also  How Do Hamsters Clean Themselves?

Do Hamsters Attract Bugs?

Bugs will not flock to you after you have played with your hamster or cleaned out their cage. Generally speaking, hamsters do not attract bugs at all.

However, if your hamster’s cage becomes too dirty (with food, waste, or something else entirely), then bugs and creepy crawlies are likely to show up. The important thing to note here that this isn’t due to your hamster is because of the backlog of old food and waste.

You probably feel an immense wave of relief knowing that your furry friend isn’t causing any pest problems you might be facing! That’s great! But, if it isn’t your hamster, what’s causing the influx of bugs or wild rodents? We’ll cover all of this (and how to get rid of them) right now.

How Pests Work

The common denominator underlining all pests, regardless of species, is that they’re opportunistic feeders. Put simply, they eat whenever they can, whatever they can. Essentially, this is why farmers put scarecrows in their fields.

But you don’t need to be growing vast numbers of crops to attract bugs, rats, and mice. Partially open food packets that are stored correctly can be enough to entice these guys into your house. If they can smell the food and realize nothing is stopping them from making it theirs, they will certainly go for it.

While this is fairly common in garages, bungalows, and detached houses, it’s far less frequent in apartment blocks. However, it can still happen (especially if people living above or below you have a pest issue).

See also  Are Hamsters Dangerous To Humans?

How to Prevent Pests Near Your Hamster

The idea that hamsters attract pests came down to the fact that they are actually looking for food and there’s usually a lot of that in your hamster’s cage. Because of this, it’s important to keep your furry friend’s environment lovely and clean to keep him or her pest-free.

If you have been struggling with this recently, you might want to take a little look at the steps below (they’ve certainly helped us!).

#1 Clean The Cage Regularly

At least once a week, you should clean your hamster’s cage out fully. This means scraping everything from the bottom and disposing of it properly.

While you are here, it’s a good idea to check the floor surrounding the cage. Sometimes, your hamster will kick their bedding, waste, and food onto the floor which will attract bugs and/or rodents if left there.

#2 Store The Food Properly

Pests are attracted to food so leaving your hamster’s feed stash unsecured is a sure-fire way to have a pretty nasty problem. Purchase an airtight tub or container large enough to hold all the feed you have ready for your furry friend.

#3 Check Unsecured Areas Often

What do we mean by unsecured areas? Basically, wherever there is plumbing, there is a potential for pests to sneak in via gaps around the pipes or even the pipes themselves. Walk around your house once a week or so and check under all the sinks, showers, drains, and anywhere else. This way, you’ll be able to spot track marks and droppings quickly.

See also  How Often Should You Feed Your Hamster?

#4 Make Sure Your Hamster’s Cage Is In a Place Where You Can Keep An Eye On Them

A garage, closet, basement, attic, or similar spaces aren’t somewhere a hamster should be. Make sure you can put your hamster cage in a good place so you take good care of your furry little sidekick.