Rhodents chew continually and instinctually wherever they are because their teeth grow continually throughout their lives, and if they don;t keep them worn down the teeth can actually grow long enough to impair their ability to eat. Rats have even been known to chew brick.
There is a spray on “critter-ridder” repellant sold at Home Depot. I’m sure it’s also available at other big-box hardware stores. According to the label, it irritates the skin of the rhodents and they won’t return. It’s worth a try.