There are a lot of reasons why you might think there are rats in your attic — you hear strange noises, smell foul odors, or spot droppings around the area. While it’s incredibly important that you investigate the area as soon as possible, it’s also important that you do so correctly. Here’s how to properly inspect your attic for rats, so you can either confirm and confront the issue or put an end to your suspicions.
Signs of Rats in the Attic
Even the cleanest homes can suffer from rat infestations. Rats often wind up inside homes searching for food, but they may also enter attics purely for shelter. In warmer climates like Florida, black rats are the most likely causes of infestations. Also known as roof rats, house rats, or ship rats, black rats are skilled climbers. When looking for a way into your home, roof rats will climb up to the roof and look for any hole or gap that leads to the attic.
7 Things to Look for When Inspecting Your Attic For Rats
If you suspect you have rats in your attic, you shouldn’t inspect only that area — you should inspect your entire home. When checking your home for rats, however, you also need to make sure that there aren’t other animals in your home as well. Because rats leave behind signs similar to mice and squirrels, it can be tough to tell which animal is causing an infestation. So how do you know if you have rats in the attic? Here’s what you should be on the lookout for.
- Droppings that are half of an inch or larger
- A strong, musky urine smell
- Greasy marks on the walls
- Nests made of paper, leaves, and twigs
- Chewed holes roughly one inch in size
- Destroyed insulation
- Rustling and squeaking at night
Attic Rat Removal
Hiring Critter Control® of Orlando is the best option for a comprehensive rodent removal solution. Our experienced wildlife removal technicians will quickly and safely remove the rats from your attic. After using humane alternatives to exclude the unwanted critters, we’ll seal and sanitize your home to prevent them from returning.
