Rats create scurrying noises at night and an infestation can quickly become a costly health concern.
If you suspect you have rats in your roof, immediately perform the below steps.
Get a pest inspection done by a pest control professional.
Make sure all vents and windows are screened.
Seal all the holes, cracks and crevices in the home and roof with silicone or caulk.
Trim all the tree branches and shrubs (if any) hanging over at the building.
Clean the yard and roof. Sometimes fruits fallen from the trees attract rodents on the roof.
Seal all dry food items and keep pet food in a closed container.
Remove any water source like a leaky sprinkler head, pipe, birdbaths and pet water dish.
Keep roofs, attics and yards dry and clean.
The primary reason for roof rats entering a house is the presence of food, water and shelter. Homeowners should keep these things out of reach of rats to keep them away from home.
Roof rats, otherwise called black rats or ship rats, are species (different from a Norway rat or a brown rat) found in higher places around the home, in particular the roof, rafters, treetops and attics. They feed on plants, seeds, stems, leaves and small prey like tiny birds and insects. They are around 5 to 7.5 inches long with an equally long tail. They create scurrying noises at night and leave droppings and debris and invite diseases like typhus and jaundice wherever they go. Roof rats are the common cause of food poisoning if they infect the food or surface where food is kept or prepared. They contaminate food by touching with their body. Common diseases associated with rats are listed below.
Hantavirus
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Tularemia
Rat droppings are an initial sign of rodent infection.
Rodents make noises when scratching, digging, gnawing and scurrying.
Places infected with roof rats will have an unnatural, musky smell caused by urine.
Rats make tracks inside and outside the house and these tracks are traceable through grease and dirt they leave behind on the floor.
Rodents are known to gnawing through electrical wires.
To get rid of rats in the roof, consider the below options.
Rodenticides are poison and or baits and contain an anticoagulant, which, when consumed enough, causes internal bleeding, resulting in death. Depending on the dosage consumed and the rat’s size, the rodenticides need around 3-10 days to show the results. It is a successful method for complete eradication of the rats, leaving a long-term impact. Install several bait stations for effective results.
Traps are placed in areas where rats travel the most. This method prevents the rat from dying and decaying in different corners of the house. Once the rodent is trapped, homeowners can free it far away and reuse the trap. Traps become inefficient in case of severe rat infestation.