Roof Rats
You need to eliminate Roof Rats from your attic quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. Of all attic pest possibilities, roof rats are probably the most upsetting to a homeowner. The idea of rats running about overhead is often more unsettling than picturing squirrels doing the same thing. However, roof rats in the attic is a very common issue for homeowners in Brevard County and the surrounding areas.
For anyone searching for a solution to ‘roof rats in the attic’, or looking for animal removal professionals near me, poison is usually the first option to come up. We here at Eraticators hope to change that trend! Did you know owls, weasels, snakes, foxes, and coyotes are natural predators to the roof rat? Poisoning a rat can result in poisoning it’s predator causing a lot of harm to the entire ecosystem over time. Cats, both feral and domestic, will naturally hunt rats too. This also puts our feline friends at very high risk. Due to the association rats have with uncleanliness and disease, few homeowners would give anything other than poison and traps a passing thought for a much-needed solution.
Roof Rats will inhabit attics for the same reason any other nuisance wildlife would—security and accessibility. Unoccupied attics provide an ideal place for undisturbed living quarters. Easy access to food from fruit trees, gardens, and trash cans solidify their stay. Roof Rats also need a dependable water source, so if your yard provides this, they’ll come around and stay since the environment provides so well for them.
Homeowners who find that they have roof rats in the attic will not only suffer from the noise above but more importantly the damage caused by chewing and assigning portions of the attic as a latrine. They can chew holes causing much bigger problems with electric bills on top of the total damage they can create in a short period of time.
About Roof Rats
Roof Rat is another name for the Black Rat (Rattus rattus). They are known as roof rats due to their tendency of staying high along rooflines. Another common name for the roof rat is ship rat since their spread was made possible riding ships into new territories many years ago. The roof rat is a common rodent and pest, but not to be confused with its’ much larger, better-known cousin, the Norway Rat. The Norway Rat (also known as the Brown Rat) is the better known/more recognized rat of the two. The Roof Rat originated in Asia and spread to Europe and onward. Roof rats live in the warmest areas of the United States: from the Southeast and Gulf States to the West Coast. All of these rats, no matter their origin, will cause great harm to your attic if not taken care of as soon as year hear noises in the attic.
How Do I Know If I Have Roof Rats In My Attic?
Roof Rat Sounds in Attics
If you live in the coastal or southeast region of the US and hear activity in your attic, roof rats are a possibility, especially in Brevard County. You will hear scurrying in your attic and gnawing mainly at night. This will especially be present when the weather starts to cool down during our winter months. If noise is heard during the day, a larger population of roof rats may be using your attic. Also, roof rats will stick to a certain route through your home. They establish this for easy navigation through your house. Repeatedly hearing noises in a pathway overhead could mean roof rats.
General Signs of Root Rats
Many people think they have mice in Florida, but as it turns out, there are many more infestations of rats than there are mice. Attics are often a warm and perfect place for a rat to make a new nest in your home. If you want to remove a rat, you need to know some things you must look out for. They generally make a lot of noise in the attic at night. They have excellent night vision and know it is safer to make their way down your home’s walls. Rat droppings and urine are the first indicators, but signs of chewing can also be seen relatively quickly once your rat infestation has grown.
Roof Rat Odors
The odor is another tell-tale sign of Roof Rats in the attic. Roof Rats will use portions of the attic as their bathroom and this scent will be noticeable. Roof Rats also stain walls with greasy markings emitted from their fur. Because roof rats have poor eyesight, they use these markings to remind them where they want to go in your house. Repeatedly staining these areas leaves a mess and smell. Roof Rats will also store food in your home.
Roof Rat Nests
A Roof Rat nest in the attic will be primarily made of torn apart insulation from your home. Also, they may use paper goods and other found scrap to construct their nest inside your attic. Boxes and clothes have been known to harbor many rodents as well.
Why Do Roof Rats Inhabit Attics?
Roof rats prefer to stay off the ground and are said to spend most of their lives elevated at least 4 feet off the ground. In their natural habitat, roof rats nest high in trees. However, roof rats are adaptable and resilient and will move into shrubs, woodpiles, and other lower locations that provide shelter.
Attics are high, dark, warm, and rarely disturbed areas. Attics offer security from the elements and predators. An attic is an ideal space for roof rats to set up a warm home, store food, and raise a family.
How Do Roof Rats Enter The Attic?
Roof rats are expert climbers; they travel along power lines with ease and can scale a brick building with no problem. Roof rats can also jump 2 feet high and can clear a 4-foot distance from one standing point to another.
Roof rats only need a half-inch wide hole to gain access to a building. A nickel-sized hole can either be squeezed through or simply chewed by the roof rat to make access a little easier. Roof rats can chew through a variety of materials: drywall, plastic, wood, aluminum siding. They have very strong teeth and have an extremely strong bite for their size.
Roof rats will mark entry holes as their territory using the secretions from their fur. This scent remains long after your tenant roof rats are gone. This scent serves as a signal to other scouting roof rats that your place was once approved by former roof rats.
Lastly, since roof rats have teeth that never stop growing, they must gnaw to survive. Chewing through materials is necessary for the roof rat, and an attic provides plenty of areas for chewing. Wood beams, vents, pipes, shingles, and unfortunately live wires are all susceptible to roof rat gnawing. Roof rat incisors would grow in a spiral if they didn’t chew to wear them down.
When Are Roof Rats Most Active In Attics?
You will hear roof rat activity throughout your attic mainly at night. Roof rat chewing and scurrying is heard overhead, and makes a good night sleep unattainable. If you find you hear noise during the day, you are dealing with a larger number of rats.
Roof rats move into attics when the weather starts to cool, and they will occupy your attic in the cooler fall and winter months.
The average lifespan of a roof rat is 1 year due to predators and pest control. It is thought that a roof rat could live up to 4 years max.
The roof rat breeding season is mainly in the Spring and Summer. The average roof rat litter consists of 4-6 babies. Roof rats will have litters up to 6 times each year. Many homeowners with roof rat problems complain that it is a never-ending issue—this is due to the roof rats’ prolific reproduction and the well-marked pathways they establish in a home that suits them. Excluding roof rats from your home can be very difficult. Sealing holes will not deter a roof rat from coming back in! They will make more holes if necessary.
How To Effectively Get Rid of Roof Rats In Your Attic
Is it possible to end the roof rats’ prolonged stay in an attic? Yes! By following this guide, you will not only evict the roof rats currently living in your attic, but you will also keep roof rats from coming back in the future.
What Should I Do First?
With any roof rat problem, you should first do the things that help your situation. Your home should be clear of any easily accessible food and water sources. Removing as many sources of food as possible. Fallen fruit should be picked up immediately and trash can lids secured. Bird feeders should also be cleaned up as roof rats enjoy nuts too. Any food/water placed outdoors for pets should be brought inside and secured.
Trimming away any branches close to your roofline, and pruning shrubs will also deter roof rats. Keep trees, shrubs,and vines maintained to discourage climbing and nesting. Also, keep an eye out for any sources of water the roof rats may depend on. Watch out for leaky fixtures! Water sources include faucets, hoses, sprinkler heads, air conditioning units. Water fountains, ponds, even plant pots, nd birdbaths provide a dependable source of water for roof rats.
Techniques To Encourage Roof Rats To Stay Out Of Your Home
Making an effort to alter or undo the first signs of nest building is encouraged for roof rats. Roof rats will keep their home turf to a 200 foot area. If you have a nest in your house or on your property, they won’t be traveling much farther than those 200 feet for resources. Eliminating the sources of food, water, and their efforts in building a nest will decrease your probability of having roof rats back. Using the Evictor® Strobe Light will ensure your home is rodent-free for years to come.