After what feels like months of heat and humidity, Florida finally gets to experience a taste of fall weather where the temperature drops, and we start to get the chilly afternoons and colder evenings. While everyone is grabbing their jackets and blankets to stay warm, we’re not the only creatures looking for a cozy spot in the winter.
Rats are also looking for a nice, warm place to build their nests, and attics are prime real estate for them. If you’re looking forward to a holly-jolly holiday season, make sure that it’s rodent-free by learning what you can do to prevent some unwanted guests.
Why Do Rats Nest in Attics?
Attics offer rats a secluded place where they can remain safe from predators and environmental hazards like wind and rain. During the colder months, attics also provide warmth and contain insulation, which makes for good nesting material. If there are any boxes stored in the attic, rats will repurpose the cardboard for nesting material as well.
Signs of Rat Activity
The first signs can be the scratching noises rats make coming from the ceilings and walls of the home. Rats will also chew on packaging and structural pieces of the home, like drywall. Rats will also leave grease marks on areas where their fur rubs up against pathways they frequent. The most conclusive sign is finding any of their droppings around nesting or food sources. Darker droppings are more fresh whereas grayer droppings have been there for a while.
How to Get Rid of Rats in the Attic
Identify Access Points
The first step is identifying any entry points, so they don’t keep coming back. These can be holes around pipes or the roof that allows them access into the attic. Any gaps should be sealed up with material that rats won’t chew through, steel or caulk. Be thorough when looking for these because rats only need a quarter-sized hole to squeeze through.
If the rat is gaining access to the entire house, you’ll need to find out how it’s going from the attic to the interior. It’s common for them to chew through baseboard and drywall, which means there’s a hole somewhere, probably behind a large appliance, they’re using as another entry point. Using common kitchen items like steel wool can act as a deterrent from rats chewing their way into a home.
Do a walk around the exterior of your house and look for any ways rats could be climbing up or reaching the roof area. This includes tall plants that climb the side of the house or hanging branches directly over the house. These need to be trimmed back at least four feet away from the house.
Remove Other Possible Nesting Spots
To keep rats away from the property, make sure any piles of wood are stored at least thirty feet away from the house. Other possible shelters are old tires, planters, boxes, or containers.
Eliminate Food & Water Sources
Rats will stay as long as there’s a source of food and water. These can be spills or crumbs from the kitchen, leaky pipes, or water lines that connect to appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, or dish washers. Make sure to always clean up kitchen messes and invest in metal water connectors for appliances when possible.
If you have any food out or needs to be stored, use a container that has an air-tight seal. Any garbage should be stored in a tall container, preferably metal, with a lid that’s either heavy or is a screw-on.
Natural Rat Repellents
Once you’ve made your home less hospitable, there are scents that will naturally prevent rats from showing up. These include:
- Peppermint Oil
- Eucalyptus Oil
- Lemon Oil
- Citronella
The above can be mixed into a spray or used to soak cotton wool and placed in area of frequent rat activity. Keep in mind, if there are still sources of food and water they can access, these scenes won’t make them leave.
Rat Poisons & Traps
Poisons are an effective way getting rid of rats, but they’re also toxic to other animals, including humans. Traps and cages work but require patience and strategic placement. Any new element introduced to their environment can take weeks for them to accept as safe. If successful, you’ll also have to deal with the removal as well.
Rodent Control Services
If you’re having trouble with rodents in your attic or anywhere else in your home, call Royal Pest Services today. We use the most up-to-date technology that allows for 24/7 rodent monitoring and rapid responses, so the problems are dealt with immediately. You can start today with a free rodent control inspection.
