Roof rats are rodents that live in the rafters of a building. They love to eat insulation and are well-known for chewing through wires, which can cause serious structural damage. They tend to be more active during the day and at night, but they have been known to venture outside on occasion.
Roof rats can get into your attic or building by crawling up a utility pole or through holes in your roof. Despite their destructive tendencies, most people don’t even realize they have them until it’s too late. If you want to know what roof rats look like, here’re some things you need to know about them.
[ez-toc]
If you want to know what roof rats look like, here’re some things you need to know about them.
*They’re large rodents with a grayish color
*The tail is usually shorter than the body
*They have thin ears that taper off at the end
*They have long whiskers
How Can I Tell If I Have Roof Rats?
You can’t tell if you have roof rats just by looking at your house. If you have a problem with roof rats, it’s best to call in an exterminator. There are some signs that will show if you do have them:
* You see rodent droppings or scat on the ground outside of your house.
* They chew through wires like telephone wires and electrical cords, which causes power outages.
* You see their damage–the wire is chewed through, insulation has been eaten away, or there are holes in your roof where they get in.
* You hear scratching noises during the day and night when no one else is around.
You can also use a motion-detecting camera. This will give you a signal if something is moving in your attic. Roof rats are great at hiding so it can be a challenge to find them, especially if you have a lot of gear in your attic or they are in the insulation. You might have to change the location of the camera a few times before you find it. An old smartphone can be used for this with the Alfred application. You will get a short clip if things move. To get longer clips, you have to pay a monthly fee.
How Can I Get Rid of Roof Rats?
Step 1: Catch them
There are some traps designed to catch roof rats. Often old fashioned traps work best. You also have traps that trap them in a bucket if you want to get a more environmentally friendly solution. You can also mix plaster with baking powder to get rid of them. You can also call a pest control company that specializes in roof rats.
Make sure that you don’t touch the materials with your bare hands as they can smell this. Use gloves or paper to set up the traps.
Step 2: Stop them from coming in
If your roof rats are causing damage to your building, you need to take preventative measures. One way of preventing roof rats is by sealing up any openings in your roof or attic so they can’t get in. It can be a challenge to find all the openings. Make sure to check the chimney and other big holes as these are popular ways to get inside a home. You can use metal wiring to make sure that the rats don’t chew through it.
Sometimes you have to open up the walls to get them out. Rats can live in big packs and it can be quite challenging to catch them. You can try to close off the area where they live with plastic screens and tape. Make sure to wear protective equipment when you enter the area where they live. Some people use a specialized vacuum to catch them. You can also try to use a brush to push them away. Be prepared for a lot of chaos when you do this as these animals can move fast. It is best to be with at least 2 people and to close the access panel to the attic so that they don’t get inside your house. Most people should just call a specialized company as it is a dirty job that needs to get done properly. They can come back if you don’t do a good job and it can remain a nuance for a long period of time.
Step 3: Clean things up
You have to remove the materials that they have damaged and clean the whole area that they have lived in. This includes scooping up their droppings. You can use enzymes to remove the smell. This can be a lot of work but it is essential that it happens thoroughly as this can lead to big problems over time. Be sure to replace the insulation if needed.
How to prevent roof rats
Here are some ways to prevent roof rats from destroying your home.
The first thing you need to do is seal all of the holes in your roof. This will make it difficult for these rodents to get inside your building. Next, make sure that your attic is well-ventilated and has a regular cleaning service. Roof rats like dark places, so keep the lights on as much as possible and make sure there are no dark corners in any part of your home. Lastly, beware when going on vacation or moving away for a long period of time. These creatures will be desperate for food and may find their way into your home while you’re away.
You can also insulate your hot water pipes if they run into the attic. Rats like heat and some water pipes can provide them with some warmth. Insulation can make it less comfy for them as the heat stays in the drain.
Roof rats are generally not harmful to humans but can cause serious structural damage in buildings. Their droppings can cause a nasty and unhealthy smell. They love eating insulation and are known for chewing through wires. If a roof rat gets into your attic or building, it will make its way to your electrical wiring and start chewing on the cables.
To conclude, we can state that roof rats live in your attic. They can create a lot of damage. For this reason, it is essential that you remove them as soon as possible. A lot of people don’t know that they have roof rats until it is too late and they already have a lot of damage. For this reason, it is essential that you inspect the attic from time to time, especially if you hear weird noises.
We have discussed how to get rid of termites in the wall here.
