Roof rats are pesky rodents and can cause major damage to households and buildings. Therefore it's important to know how to get rid of roof rats fast and prevent future roof rat infestations.
Roof rats are 13 to 18 inches in length, including the tail. They weigh between five and nine ounces and have slender bodies, pointed snouts, big eyes and large, almost hairless ears.
They are nocturnal and active within a territory of 200 to 300 feet from their nesting locations. Black rat colonies can range from three to four individuals up to several hundred.
Roof rats live in a variety of places depending if it’s outside or inside. Outside, roof rats are found in trees, woodpiles, debris and in dense vegetation. However, inside they prefer to nest in the upper levels of the building, such as the attic and ceiling.
There are two main options available when it comes to getting rid of roof rats which is using poison and traps.
There are different types of rat poison available which are effective against roof rats such as grain bait and block bait. Once you have identified the area of activity the bait can be carefully placed.
Block bait is better to be used in rat bait boxes as they can be secured to the rods. Grain bait is good as roof rats enjoy gnawing and will chew through the sachet to consume the poison.
One way for effective baiting is to hammer a nail through either through the block bait or sachet of grain bait against the joists. This keeps the bait in place and prevents it being dispersed by the rat.
As well as using poison, rat traps can be placed in high activity areas to kill roof rats instantly.
There are various traps available from spring traps to electronic traps depending on your preference.
When placing the rat traps we always recommend trying to avoid changing the area too much as rats are clever enough to notice change which can put them off. You can also use a rat attractant to lure the rat to your trap.
Once you have dealt with the roof rat infestation we highly recommend placing rodent proofing measures to prevent them coming back in the future.
There are a number of signs to tell if you have a roof rat infestation including;
Spotting a roof rat in your home is a good sign of an infestation. A sighting is usually more common at night however a daytime sighting may indicate increased activity and a bigger infestation.
If you have roof rats in your home it’s very common to hear scurrying or scratching noises coming from ceilings, attics or inside walls, especially at night. Roof rats will often move around in these high spaces at night,
Roof rat droppings are likely to be found in areas where they are active such as attics, ceilings or along walls and beams. They may also leave droppings in other areas where potential food sources may exist.
Droppings are typically ½ to ¾ inches long, shaped like capsules.
Roof rats may leave tracks or marks behind from where they move especially if the floor is dirty or dusty. You may notice footprints or tail marks.
Roof rats often build nests using soft materials such as paper, fabric and insulation. You may find a nest in common nesting areas such as lofts, attics or even inside wall cavities.
Roof rats are constantly gnawing on pretty much anything in search of food. You notice damage to property or food sources such as packaging, especially in kitchens.
There are several preventative steps you can take to prevent roof rats ending up in your home or building such as;
Roof rats are excellent climbers and can gain access through rooflines, vents and eaves.
Go round your home looking for any gaps, cracks or holes larget than ¼ inch and seal them using expanding foam, steel wool, caulk or other materials.
Also consider blocking up vents or chimney openings using wire mesh grills or metal vents.
Remove any potential food sources by disposing of food and garbage regularly, ensuring any rubbish is disposed of using tight, sealed bags.
Make sure any other food is properly stored using airtight food containers.
Regularly wipe down food surfaces to clean up crumbs or spills.
Roof rats also rely on water to survive. Ensure there are no obvious leaks around your house including in basements, lofts and attics.
Roof rats like to hide in overgrown shrubbery, branches and other cluttered areas around your home.
Regularly maintaining your home exterior and removing vegetation can help reduce the risk of an infestation.
Proactively using rat repellents can be a very effective way to keep rats away from your home.
Peppermint and other forms of natural repellents can be placed in less frequented areas for long lasting protection.
We recommend regularly checking your roof line for signs of roof rats, looking for any visible signs of damage or other gaps and cracks that could provide openings for a potential infestation.
Like any other rats, roof rats are not necessarily dangerous to humans but can spread disease directly by contaminating food with their urine or faeces, or by biting.
They can also transmit diseases indirectly through fleas, which if infected, can transfer the disease to other animals or people.
Roof rats can cause big damage to households and commercial buildings if they aren’t controlled properly. They can gnaw through wires, pipes, wood and upholstery.
As a result, roof rats can cause structural damage including undermining the foundations of buildings, damaging plastic and lead pipes, damaging door frames, furniture and electric wires and can destroy and contaminate stored foods.
Yes, roof rats are able to jump two feet up and four feet horizontally, and can double the horizontal distance if jumping from a height.
Yes, they can climb up brick, concrete blocks and other rough surfaces and travel along power lines to trees and roofs.
Roof rats can carry various diseases which pose significant health risks to humans and pets. One of the main diseases they can carry is Weil's Disease.
Weil’s disease also known as Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through the urine of infected rodents.
