Knowing that rats have infested your home is quite alarming. Aside from hearing squeaking and scurrying sounds at night, you may worry about the possible diseases that rats carry. Also, rats can contaminate your food and surfaces as well as destroy your furnishings. If you have been hearing unusual noises in the attic, ceiling, or walls, you may want to contact a pest control company in Frisco for assessment and treatment.
Signs Rats Have Invaded Your Attic
Knowing whether or not you have rats in the attic can be hard. Rats are active at night and tend to avoid humans. Thus, the chance of encountering them in the attic is quite slim. But some signs indicate a rat infestation in the attic. These include the following:
- Urine odor. Rats tend to urinate frequently and anywhere they go. If rats are in your attic, you may notice an unpleasant and pungent smell in this area. The stronger this smell, the more rats you have there.
- Droppings. A rat issue can be identified by the presence of rat droppings. Often, droppings of rats are 12mm long. They are dark and look like pellets. If you find them in your house, contact an exterminate immediately.
- Strange noises. Unusual rustling or scratching sounds from the attic, walls, and ceiling can indicate a rat infestation.
- Chew marks. Rats tend to chew anything they can find. Furniture, paper, and cardboard are their usual targets.
- Rub marks. Rats will leave oil marks as they navigate through spaces in your house to find food and shelter.
- Nests. Rats in the attic create nests using paper and fabric. They will shred clothes, documents, and boxes to make nests. These nests are often found in dark areas.
- Strange pet behavior. Your pets may behave differently in a certain area if they sense rats there.
No one likes to live with rats. If you believe these pests have infested your attic, hire an exterminator immediately. These pests won’t leave on their own as long as they continue to have access to food and water in your house. As rats in the attic don’t get disturbed for many years, they can continue to live in your house as long as you do.
How Rats Get into the Attic
To control a rat issue effectively, prevent them from invading your home. These rodents can enter your house through small openings. Once they have entered, they will try to access the attic to live undisturbed. Rats prefer to be in the attic because they want to be near food sources. Although food is not stored in the attic, old decorations and furniture are available for rats to feast on.
In addition, rats come into your house to look for shelter and protect themselves against wild animals such as birds and snakes. Also, the warm temperature in the attic makes it an ideal breeding ground for rats. If you have confirmed the presence of rats in the attic, look for their entry points and seal them off. These include the following:
- Cracks. Check your home’s exterior and find signs of wall cracks. Fill these cracks with waterproof sealant, so rats cannot enter your house.
- Roof holes. Often, rats, enter the attic through faults or holes in the ceiling and roof. These pests can easily chew the plugs to make small holes.
- Vents. Vents often have spaces and openings through which rates squeeze through and enter the attic. To prevent their entry use metal screens to cover the vents.
- Chimney. As outside temperature drops, rats sneak inside houses through chimneys to find shelter and food. To ensure this does not happen, have the chimney cleaned and sealed by professionals.
