How Common Are Rats in Your Attic?

A rat infestation can be very disruptive to the structure of your home. Rats have sharp teeth and can chew through wood, plastics, and even plumbing. They can also gnaw through wall insulation. In addition to this, if they get into the attic, they may chew on electrical wires, which can cause a house fire.

Although rats are nocturnal, they are often active at night, and are looking for food, water, and materials to build their nests. You may not notice them scurrying around the attic, particularly if you work from home or only go up to your attic a few times a year. However, you should be aware of the noise they make if you hear them gnawing on your ceiling or walls.

Another way to identify a rat infestation is to look for droppings. Rat droppings are brown and oval, with a pointed end. You may also hear scratching sounds during the night. You might also find rat footprints, or ‘running tracks’, in dusty areas of the attic. Rats grow their teeth at a very rapid rate, and so they must chew on things to keep them from growing any larger.

Once you have noticed that you have rats in your attic, you should immediately take action. Seal up any gaps or holes. You need to make sure that no rodents are entering the attic before it’s too late.