Final answer:
Rats can enter buildings through openings as small as a quarter, which is about 0.955 inches in diameter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rats are adaptable creatures known for their ability to squeeze through tiny spaces. When discussing how small an opening rats can enter through, it is often mentioned that they can fit through gaps as small as a quarter. This is partly because of their flexible skeletons. Therefore, a rat can enter buildings through openings that are about the size of a quarter, which is roughly 0.955 inches (24.26 mm) in diameter, even though they are much larger than a microscopic house mite, which is only about a half a millimeter in size. The ability of rats to enter such small openings is one reason why they are such common pests in homes and food storage facilities.
Their ribcage is designed to expand and compress, allowing them to fit through tight spaces. This enables them to enter buildings through small gaps in walls, floors, pipes, and windows.
For example, rats can squeeze through cracks in walls or gaps around pipes, and they can even fit through small holes in screens or vents.
It is important to seal all potential entry points to prevent rats from entering buildings and causing a nuisance or health hazard.