What Do I Do If I Have Rats in My Attic?

Whether you’ve lived on the same property for decades or just moved onto a new one, discovering a rat infestation can be incredibly alarming. However, panicking and putting yourself in danger with DIY exclusion can make the problem worse and leave your property exposed to even more issues. If you come across a rat anywhere inside your home or business, these are the steps to help solve your wildlife problem as soon as possible. 

Identify the Animal Behind the Infestation 

The trapping, handling, and removal process change with each critter to accommodate their behavior, size, and natural habitat. Before jumping to any conclusions about exclusion, you need to understand whether you’re actually dealing with a rat problem. Here are some common signs of a pest infestation with some tips to tell which animal is making the mess. 

• Feces – Rat droppings are dark brown, oblong in shape, and nearly the size of a grain of rice. They are also somewhat confusable for mouse or squirrel droppings. Mouse droppings can range from an eighth to a quarter of an inch and commonly have a smooth, light brown color with a thin body. Squirrel droppings have a similar pale brown color, but they are often thicker and rounder in shape. 

• Nests – Roof rats or other rats in the attic use thick, dense materials like twigs and insulation to fortify their indoor nests, which is why their nests are often confused for squirrel nests. Mice, however, often use daintier objects like paper and string to create their nests.

• Entryways – Rats only need space the size of a quarter to enter your home, whereas mice can fit through even smaller holes. Therefore, if you spot openings that have been chewed to larger sizes, you might be dealing with another animal, like a squirrel or opossum. 

• Noise – Because raccoons, opossums, and rats are nocturnal animals, it can be hard to tell which animal is causing noise at night. If you think that rats might be the culprit, listen for high-pitched squeaking and chattering rather than purring or barking. If you hear a noise in the daytime, however, you most likely have another animal, like squirrels in the attic. 

Remove Rats and Restore the Area

Resolving a rat infestation requires more than trapping and releasing. For long-term wildlife prevention and effective solutions, find a wildlife provider that follows a thorough animal control process that includes: 

• Removal – Traditional rat toxins are not only dangerous to rats, but to humans as well. These pesticides can end up killing rats and leaving behind a foul, decaying odor. Rather than flushing your attic with harmful chemicals, have rats removed through humane handling. This includes safe, live rat trapping with cages designed specifically for rat removal. 

• Restoration – To prevent another wildlife issue from arising in the future, professionals will seal up any hole or gap that rats and or other animals could fit through. They’ll use strong materials like wire mesh, stainless steel wool, and industrial sealant. Then, your provider will close or cap any openings around your chimney or roof soffits. Finally, they’ll restore your attic to recover from rat damage and return your home to regular working conditions. 

Find a Permanent Wildlife Partner  

To best safeguard your home or business, partner with a rat removal and wildlife expert. By consulting one that specializes in humane animal services, you can feel comfortable that your wildlife solution works for your property and your local environment. Finding the right wildlife management provider can even help protect your space from infestations in the future through a thorough inspection and professional entryway repair. Therefore, the quick, easy, and effective solution to rats in the attic lies with your local pest provider.