The Roof Rat and the Norway Rat are the two most commonly found species of rats in the United States. The Norway Rats are more commonly found in the north; they tend to nest underground or in basements and sewers. The Roof Rats, also known as ship rats, fruit rats, palm rats, and Alexandrian rats, are commonly found in warmer areas; they are more likely to nest in attics and ceilings as they are good climbers. These rodents are active year-round and can breed at a fast pace.
A rat infestation can pose numerous health dangers and even result in structural damages to buildings they live in. Rats are also known to have caused house fires when they damage the electrical wiring or chew on the gas lines. So, it’s important to take all preemptive steps to keep rats out of your attic (and home) and act swiftly when you find a few of them have made found their way in.
Here in this post, we will share with you the top five tips to keep rats out of your attic:
- Thorough Home and Attic Inspection
First things first, carry out a full inspection of your entire dwelling, including the attic. Rats can scurry through any part of the building, be it the outer walls, ceiling, doors or windows. Find all open holes and gaps that rats may use to gain access to your home. Some of the most common places that you should check for gaps or holes are:
- Around doors, windows, and fireplaces
- Inside the attic and around the attic vents
- Between the roof and the wall juncture
- Around the plumbing under sinks and the pipes linked to the furnace and hot water heaters
- Around the dryer vents and floor vents
- Between the wall and the floor juncture
- Inside closets (especially near floor corners)
- Around holes for plumbing, electrical cables, gas lines, etc.
- Around the building foundation
If the structure does not have a basement, chances are that rats will prefer using the attic as nesting space. Rodents do not make nests in places frequented by humans and pets such as living rooms, dining rooms, etc. They may, however, roam around the house at night in search of food and water.
- Seal the Rat Entry Points
Rats can squeeze through an entry point the size of half-dollar! If you do not seal up the entry points, rats and mice will continue to get inside.
When you need to seal shut the rat entry points, professional-grade repairs by rodent control specialists will deliver the best results, especially if you suspect a severe rat infestation. However, you can also take it up as a DIY project; use steel wool to seal holes and gaps that rats may use to gain access to your attic.
Rats cannot chew through steel wool. Remember to put caulk around the steel wool to ensure it remains in place. You can also use a sealant to stop all airflow through a hole. This will discourage rats from trying to get inside as they can smell the air flowing through a hole.
If there are any large holes or gaps, you can use metal sheets, cement, hardware cloth or lath screen. You can find all of these materials at your local hardware store or place an order online.
- Do Not Invite Rats to Your Home
Garbage in Attic Invite Rats
Even if rats do not find an easy access route to your attic, they may dig a new hole or widen a small one when in search of food and shelter, especially during the winters. If you are not careful, these nasty but resourceful creatures will find things to eat and material to create nests from right outside your property.
Therefore, make sure that you:
- Cover garbage bins outside your house at all times. Polythene garbage bags lying around the house are an open invitation to rodents to invade your house.
- If there are any tree branches or shrubs hanging over the roof, have them trimmed back at least four feet from the house; they can provide easy access route and nesting material (dry leaves) to rats looking for a way into your attic.
- Remove debris, papers, dry leaves, woodpiles, heavy vegetation, etc. from your property.
- Compost bin, if any, should be placed as far away from the house as possible.
- Do not leave pet food or open water containers outside the house.
- Learn to Identify the Signs of a Roof Rat Infestation
You may hardly spot a roof rat in your attic, let alone find them wandering in your kitchen because they are nocturnal and hunt for food at night. However, you need to know the signs of a roof rat infestation than can make you aware of their presence. Once found, you can take the necessary control measures. The most common signs of roof rat infestation are:
- Scratching noises in the attic, especially during the night
- Gnaw marks around the eaves of the home
- Chewed electrical cables or gnaw marks on the insulation
- Pets showing signs of agitation, especially when they are in the attic
- Nests found in attic vents
- Roof rat droppings (about 0.5” long with pointed ends) in and around the attic
- Nesting material (shredded paper, cardboard, leaves, fabric, etc.) on the roof or inside the attic
- Set Traps, Use Rat Repellants or Hire Professionals to Get Rid of Rats
Once you know that rats have invaded your attic, it’s time to either set traps or use rodent repellants. If you do not want to use mechanical rat traps or mothballs, you can always use cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil to repel rats. Avoid using toxic baits and poisons inside the home; rats can spread poison inside your dwelling, making it dangerous for your family members and pets.
If you are unsure of how to deal with the problem, hire a rat control specialist in your area. Do not wait for a rat infestation to get worse. Once inside, the roof rat population can grow at an exponential rate.
Guest Post Author:
My name is David Dorfman. I am the PR Media Manager at Rodentsstop.com, an independent, family-owned and local rodent clean up and control company. One of my passions is educating and helping people through all the issues related to living in a rat and mice free environment.
