How To Get Rid Of Roof Rats

Getting rid of roof rats (also called black rats) on your own is possible, but it requires careful planning because these rats are agile, intelligent, and tend to live in higher areas of structures like attics, rafters, and ceilings. Here’s a guide for home or business owners to get rid of roof rats:

Identify Signs of Roof Rat Infestation

Before taking action, confirm you’re dealing with roof rats:

Droppings: ½–¾ inch, dark brown, spindle-shaped, usually found along walls or in attics.
Gnaw marks: On wires, wood, or insulation.
Footprints: Powdery tracks in dusty areas.
Noises: Scratching, squeaking, or scurrying at night.
Nests: Shredded paper, insulation, or plant matter in high areas.
Food damage: Chewed food packaging or bird feeders raided at night.

Seal Entry Points

Roof rats are excellent climbers and can enter through openings as small as ½ inch. Key areas to seal include:

Roof and eaves: Check for gaps, vents, or broken tiles.
Attic vents: Install rodent-proof screens.
Doors and windows: Ensure tight-fitting seals.
Utility penetrations: Seal gaps around pipes, wires, and cables.
Trees near buildings: Trim branches so rats cannot jump onto the roof.

Use steel mesh, sheet metal, or cement rather than just caulking, as rats can easily chew through soft materials.

Remove Food and Water Sources

Roof rats rely on accessible food and water. Steps include:

Storing food (pet food, grains, fruit) in metal or thick plastic containers.
Cleaning up fallen fruit or bird seed.
Removing standing water or fixing leaks.
Securing trash bins with tight lids.

Set Traps Strategically

Trapping is often the most effective DIY method.

Snap traps: Quick and humane. Place along walls, rafters, or areas with rat activity.
Live traps: Can be used if you plan to release rats far from your property (check local laws).
Bait options: Peanut butter, dried fruit, or nuts. Bacon or meat can also be effective.

Placement tips: Place traps 10–20 feet apart along rat runways. Focus on areas near nests, droppings, or gnaw marks. For roof rats, place traps high off the ground, like in attics, rafters, or ceilings, since they prefer elevated locations.

Use Rodenticides Carefully (Optional)

If trapping alone is not enough:

Use rodenticides designed for roof rats.
Place bait stations in areas inaccessible to children, pets, or wildlife.
Follow all safety instructions and check your local regulations.

Rodenticides can be dangerous and depending on the rodenticide you choose, may lead to secondary toxicity if killed rats aren't picked up shortly after they die.

Monitor and Maintain

Roof rat infestations require ongoing vigilance:

Check traps daily.
Dispose of dead rats safely (gloves and double-bagging recommended).
Continue sealing new entry points and removing attractants.
Inspect property regularly to prevent re-infestation.

Challenges of DIY Roof Rat Control

While homeowners and business owners can manage minor infestations, there are challenges:

Roof rats are nocturnal and cautious, making them trap-shy.
Infestations often hide in inaccessible areas like ceilings and attics.
Roof rats can carry Leptospirosis, Salmonella, and Rat-bite fever.
Structural damage: Chewing wires, insulation, and wood can create fire hazards.

For minor infestations, combining exclusion, sanitation, and traps can be effective. For larger infestations or persistent problems, hiring our professional pest control ensures safe and complete removal while reducing damage and health risks.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Roof Rats

Our professional pest control is the most effective way to eliminate roof rats because these rodents are highly intelligent, agile, and difficult to eradicate completely. While homeowners and business owners can attempt DIY methods, our professionals offer a combination of experience, tools, and safety protocols that drastically improve success rates. Here’s why our professional pest control is the best option:

Accurate Identification and Inspection

Roof rats are nocturnal and can easily hide in attics, rafters, ceilings, and dense vegetation near buildings. Our professionals can:

Identify exact species, which informs treatment strategy.
Conduct a thorough inspection of the structure, including hard-to-reach areas like attics, wall voids, and crawl spaces.
Find entry points, nesting sites, and food sources that may be invisible to untrained eyes.

Effective and Targeted Treatments

Our professionals use strategies that are both more powerful and precise than DIY approaches:

High-quality traps and bait stations: Properly positioned for maximum effectiveness.
Rodenticides and control products that are inaccessible to pets and children but lethal to rats.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Combines exclusion, sanitation, trapping, and chemical control for long-term success.

We also know how to target roof rats specifically, which are excellent climbers and prefer elevated areas—something most DIY approaches miss.

Comprehensive Exclusion

Roof rats can enter through tiny gaps (½ inch or larger). Our professionals can:

Seal entry points using rodent-proof materials like steel mesh, sheet metal, or cement.
Trim trees and vegetation that allow rats to access roofs.
Identify structural vulnerabilities that homeowners might overlook, preventing re-infestation.

Exclusion is crucial—traps alone often fail if rats can continue to access food and shelter.

Health and Safety

Roof rats carry diseases such as:

Leptospirosis
Salmonella
Rat-bite fever
Hantavirus (less common but possible in rodent urine and droppings)

Our professionals follow strict safety protocols, including proper handling of rodenticides and removal of rat carcasses, reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Prevention of Structural Damage

Roof rats gnaw constantly on wood, insulation, wires, and piping, potentially causing fire hazards from chewed electrical wiring, water leaks from damaged roofing, and insulation contamination in attics.

Our professionals can identify damage early, repair entry points, and implement control measures to prevent costly repairs.

Long-Term Control

Even if DIY methods kill a few rats, infestations often return within weeks if nests, entry points, or food sources are not fully addressed. Our professionals provide ongoing visits to ensure the infestation is fully eliminated and to prevent reinfestation, as well as expert advice on sanitation and maintenance to keep rats away long-term.

While DIY methods can catch a few rats, our professional pest control ensures complete, safe, and lasting removal. We address not just the current infestation, but also the underlying causes, preventing future problems and minimizing risks to health and property.

Get Rid Of Roof Rats With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!