We do a lot of rat control in many types of situations, but the most common type of rat removal is in the attics of homes. The initial phone call is usually along the lines of, "We hear scratching and running around in our attic at night", and if I determine that the nighttime pitter-patter is from little feet and fast, as opposed to the slower, heavier walk of raccoons, or the daytime scurrying of squirrels, then I know that it's rats in the attic. Regardless, I arrive at the house with an open mind. It's really the attic inspection that tells me all I need to know. It's very easy to tell what animal is living in the attic once I go up there. I actually rarely spot the animals. They usually hear me entering the attic, and they slink off and hide down in crevices, soffits, under insulation, etc. However, from time to time I do see the rats or squirrels or raccoons running along or sitting perfectly still somewhere. Regardless, I always see the evidence - footprints and most of all, droppings. Animals can't and don't hide the waste that they leave behind, and rats, with their high metabolism, leave behind a lot of droppings, in the form of 1/2 inch little terds. They also leave behind a brown grease on the areas they frequently travel, and they create many tunnels and pathways in the insulation. So once I've determined that it's rats, the process begins.
STEP ONE: Inspect the home to find all of the rat entry points, and seal them up permanently with expert
exclusion repairs. This prevents rats from ever entering the home again, and it's the most important step!
STEP TWO: Trap and remove all of the rats inside the house.
Rat trapping is not always a simple matter for amateurs. A lot of factors, especially placement of many traps on the rat runways in the attic, account for 100% success.
STEP THREE: Remove trapped rats and monitor for new activity. Once all of the rats have been removed, and there's no more fresh catches, and no more fresh footprints or droppings, and no more rat noise in the attic, we know the problem is solved.
STEP FOUR: Clean the attic. It's important to clean the attic and do a full
attic cleanup and deodorization to kill off any disease-causing pathogens, sanitize the attic, and destroy the odor that will attract new rats to your house.
You can call me in Orlando at 407-233-3838 I also have friends that operate rat control businesses in other cities. For
Austin Rodent Control, call A-Tex Pest. For
Phoenix Rat Rodent Control, call Allen Animal. For
LA Rat Control, it's All-City Rodent, and for
Jacksonville Pest Control, call Andrew and Austin of WRS Jax.
Dallas Rat Control, it's Matt of A Wildlife Pro, which also has a
Houston Rodent Control branch that specializes in wildlife and rodent removal in attics.
How to get rid of rats in the attic at night
What should I do if I find a nest of rats in the attic?
How to get rats out of the attic insulation
What kind of damage do rats cause in an attic?
Will a clean property get rid of rats in the attic? Usually there is no amount of yard care that will discourage a rat from using your property and entering a home. You may have the most manicured yard and the best trimmed hedges but still have a rat problem.
Rats will live anywhere as long as there is shelter to be had. Just because rats are present does not imply there is a certain level of filth in your home. Yard and garbage cleanup is an important part of keeping rats out of your attic,
but the true key to rat prevention is good home awareness. Keeping your home free of holes and cracks will prevent rats from finding a way in. If you have developed an issue with rats in the attic, you can remove them with simple trapping
methods. Rat traps are larger and more powerful than mouse traps, so be sure you purchase the right device. Set the traps in the attic in areas where the rat activity appears highest. Whenever you are working in a closed environment around
rat dropping, wear a mask and gloves. Rats are known carriers of disease. Snap traps should be baited and should be numerous enough to allow ample opportunities to lure in a rodent.
Getting rid of rats in the attic - Rats can enter a home at ground level or through the roof. Attics are particularly prone to rat infestations no matter where the creatures enter simply because the attic is dark and quiet. Rats like to live near humans. The food waste in a single household can often sustain a pack of rats easily. Attics not only provide shelter but provide easy access to the food source the rats have discovered. Rat removal means sealing up your home. There is at least one area where rats are entering your buildings, and that spot needs to be located and sealed shut. Sealing rats out is the most important step in rodent control. To trap the rats in the attic, purchase a set of lethal, snap traps. These traps will clamp down on a rat with enough force to beak the spinal cord and kill the rodent. It may seem barbaric, but this method is quick and more humane than many other types of traps. Set the baited traps in areas where the rats have been spending time. Body oils and fecal material are good indications that a rat will return to that area. Like most rodents, rats use scents to map out their territories.
How do you get rid of mice in the attic - No matter where the mice are in your home, you need to figure out how they got inside from the outside. Mice are small and the holes they can fit in are even smaller. A casual walk around your home will not reveal why you have mice in your attic. You must investigate every potential entry point. It is often a space less than an inch wide that lets mice into your home. To get rid of mice in the attic you need to invest in some snap traps. These traps are spring loaded and will snap the spinal column of a mouse quickly and humanely. Traps are most effectively set near areas of mouse droppings, along walls, and on support beams. Mice will not run out into an open attic until they are comfortable enough to judge it to be completely safe. Instinct will keep mice close to walls and along narrow passes. Placing your traps in these areas will help you achieve a greater level of success. Snap traps for mice should be baited for optimal results. Peanut butter is tried and true and will adhere to the trap. Avoid using bait that can be stolen from the spring plate, setting the trap off without catching the mouse.
Read more educational articles:
How to get rid of rats outside
How to keep rats out of my garden
How to keep rats out of my garbage
How to get rats out of the garage
