How to get rid of rats in the attic is a dilemma shared by millions of homeowners and renters nationwide. Rattus Rattus, alternatively known as the roof rat, is an invasive species that has become an unwanted guest in nearly 15 million homes or apartments annually.

If you’re wondering, “How do rats get in the attic,” it’s because they are agile and clever creatures that prefer to nest up high. In the outdoors, they tend to make their nests in tree holes, climbing vines, and upper tree branches. They do not like cold, wind, or rain, which is why attics are so attractive to them.

They can easily jump onto your roof from nearby trees and take advantage of any vulnerabilities in your structure, either squeezing through tiny openings or using their sharp teeth to gnaw their way in.

Signs Roof Rats Are in Your Attic

The most common signs of roof rat infestation in the attic:

• Scratching and scurrying sounds overhead at night.
• Droppings found on countertops, in kitchen drawers, in your pantry, or along walls and baseboards.
• Gnaw marks on wooden beams, electrical wires, and insulation.
• Greasy smudge marks along walls or baseboards along their pathways.
• Rat nests in the attic are made of shredded insulation, paper fabric, and other found materials.
• Unusual pet behavior, such as staring at a certain corner or becoming agitated in a particular spot.

Any one of these signs might indicate an infestation. Your first step is to positively identify what nuisance animal is up in your attic so that the right plan can be put in place.

Dangers of Roof Rats in the Attic

A roof rat infestation is more than just a nuisance. It’s one of the most serious infestation problems.

Roof rats are notorious for gnawing. At home in your attic, they will gnaw on structural beams and rafters as well as through walls, creating pathways from their nests to food and water sources.

Chewing on electrical wires is another roof rat pastime, putting your home at risk of an electrical fire. The National Fire Protection Association estimated in 2010 that rodents were responsible for 20–25% of the 46,500 fires responded to by fire departments.

When roof rats rummage through your pantry, their droppings, urine, and saliva contaminate your food, requiring homeowners and renters to discard and replace food, which is costly to families.

Roof rats carry parasites, such as mites, fleas, and ticks, that can spread throughout the home and infest you, your family, and your pets. In addition, they can transmit a long list of diseases. Their presence can also increase the risk of or create an exacerbation of asthma.

Can Attic Rats Get Into the Main House?

Roof rats will most certainly be visiting the main part of your house from the attic. In addition to using your attic as their home base to raise their offspring, they will find their way into your kitchen, bathroom, and other utility areas, looking for food and water for themselves and their young.

Diseases Roof Rats Carry

The many diseases that roof rats carry are among the most important reasons why taking action to rid your home of them is so important. Diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis (food contamination), rat-bite fever, murine typhus, plague, toxoplasmosis, and trichinosis are transmittable to people, and some can even spread to pets.

Roof Rat Attic & Home Damage

Most homes built in the United States have some type of attic space. They serve an important role in regulating temperature and airflow via insulation and vents.

It is also the location of utility and HVAC systems, ductwork, plumbing pipes, and electrical wiring. Attics contribute to the structural support of your home with rafters and trusses that hold the roof up, aiding in its ability to fend off high winds or large snowfalls.

And attics often serve as a storage space for seasonal decorations, family heirlooms, and much more.

Roof rats in your attic and the damage they can cause put all that in danger.

• Gnawing at rafters can do significant structural damage to your home.
• Tearing insulation to use in their nests upsets your house temperature and can result in extra heating and cooling expenses.
• Chewing through electrical wires creates a fire risk.
• Feces and urine can ruin holiday decorations, stored clothing, photos, and other personally valuable items. And it can turn your attic into an unhealthy environment that can spread into your main living area.

Professional Roof Rat Removal

A combination of factors, such as how destructive, unhealthy, and quick-to-breed rats are, make it a good idea to call in a professional rat removal service. When both the structural integrity of your home and your family’s health are at stake, DIY solutions might not get rid of all the rats.

Professional service providers such as Critter Control also offer added benefits that are hard to turn away, such as a guarantee and exclusion, restoration, and sanitation services. There is no downside to hiring Critter Control to get rid of attic rats. Contact Critter Control to set up a free inspection at 305-363-7136.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Roof Rats?

A multifaceted approach of using a professional rat removal service in combination with sealing all entry points, changing the environment in your yard, and eliminating their access to food and water will provide the quickest relief from attic rats.

What Can You Put in Your Attic to Get Rid of Rats?

In addition to setting up traps and using repellents, TAP insulation has the potential to be an effective method for keeping rats out. TAP insulation will also keep a multitude of insect infestations at bay as well.

TAP is an insulation that contains borates that are safe for people and pets yet toxic to many insects and rodents. TAP insulation has other benefits, such as better regulation of your home’s temperature, which will save money and reduce noise.

How to Prevent Attic Rats

Whether you’ve had a rat infestation in your attic before or simply want to avoid an infestation, the best prevention is an exclusion plan from Critter Control. Critter Control has more than forty years of experience in rodent control. Critter Control uses a combination of habitat modification and exclusion to prevent wildlife from entering and inhabiting your home.

If you find yourself in the midst of a rat infestation or have any questions about your critter problems, call Critter Control® at 305-363-7136.