Rats in loft spaces are a common problem in the UK, and a lot of this has to do with the easy access that the brown rat, roof rat, and black rat utilise through entry points available in lofts. Because loft spaces can sometimes be accessible through trees or other adjoining structures, rats can climb into a loft and enter the smallest of entry points through the roof or the walls.
With these key points in mind, you are likely wondering how to get rid of rats in your loft in the UK?
Getting rid of rats in loft structures throughout the UK is a frequent concern and the first step is to remove all the rats in the attic as quickly as possible. This can be done with professional pest control. Sealing of all entry points is essential to limit future infestations.
This article will address if you have found rats in your loft or attic and the steps you can take to eliminate the rodents with professional pest control services. Additionally, this guide will cover the steps you can take to prevent unsightly and dangerous rat infestations in your home in the future.
Are Rats in the Loft Common?
A rat problem in a loft is more common than people would normally assume due to the higher floors of a building near the roof are common attractants for rats that are looking for open access and seclusion. The most common type of rat that can be found in lofts is the black rat, also known as the roof rat, and this rat gets its name for its superb climbing skills.
Once roof rats find an available tree, power line, or even the building itself, the rodents can scale up the structure much like squirrels to reach the upper level of a building. Seeking out the attic or upper floor like a loft is what black rats are programmed to do, and there is generally less activity on the roof or upper floors than the foot traffic at the bottom floors.
Signs of Rats
Once the rats reach the top, they will seek out small openings in the cavity walls or even enter through the drain from the bottom level and make their way upward. Furthermore, roof rats will even secrete fluid through their fur to mark any entry holes as signifiers to future rats that your loft was once safe haven for rats. There is an evolved behavior that rats exhibit which is one of the reasons they are so difficult to eradicate once they make their home in a loft.
Once rats have set up shop inside your loft, you can usually become aware of their presence by noticing signs of rats droppings around the walls or in the kitchen. Additionally, you may notice chew marks around your loft and the ability to hear noises at night that sounds like tapping or even clicking from behind the walls. Rat control is crucial once you notice the signs of rats to ensure that the infestation is completely eliminated.
Are Rats in My Loft Dangerous?
Rats can be very dangerous once they enter your property and begin to nest. A rat can be aggressive when cornered, and since rats are active at night, this can be a concern for homeowners who may walk upon a rat feeding in the kitchen area. Rats carry an entire range of diseases and viruses that can make humans incredibly ill if passed along.
Furthermore, it is possible to become sick from rats just by living in the same space and breathing the same air as the rodents, and this is also true for mice as well. Although not necessarily a danger, rats in loft areas can also be incredibly destructive by spreading filthy rat droppings and pathogens all over the space and chewing through wiring and even clothing when looking for material to make a nest.
How Would a Rat Get in My Loft?
One way to check for rats in loft areas is to seek out entry areas to look for signs of rats in the area. Rats may choose to look for effective holes in a cavity wall from the outside that can easily be squeezed through, and anything the size of a twenty pence piece is enough for the rat to adjust its anatomy to crawl through the tiny space.
Drains are also another problem area around a loft and represent one of the easiest access points for rats. Rats can enter through the sewer main and crawl around until they find an entry into your property. One tool that pest controllers use to prevent this is a non-return valve or drain blocker which can act fast to block this entryway.
No matter how the rats find their way into your loft, acting fast to eliminate the issue upon noticing the first signs is crucial to prevent damage around the loft.
How to Kill Rats in the Attic or Loft
The first step is to begin removing and restricting food since food is one of the main attractants for rats in the first place. Any food left lying around the kitchen should be cleaned up and prevented from collecting in the future. Seal all dry food and then consider laying out rodent traps to start eliminating as many rats as possible.
It is also helpful to trim away any tree limbs near your attic (if possible) and be sure to look out for any possible water sources the rats could be using: faucets, collections of water on window seals, leaky air conditioners, etc. Because rats may be dangerous and the spread of disease through rat droppings is great, allowing pest control technicians to handle the issue is the best method to take.
Exterminators can remove all the rats, treat and clean the nesting areas, and use preventative measures to prevent the rats from infesting the space in the future. If pest control fails to work the first time, technicians can also return to the home and keep treating until the issue is eradicated.
FAQs
Do Rats in Loft Leave the Loft During the Day?
Rat noises and scratching noises and sounds such as gnawing and chew sounds are typically heard at night, therefore, it can be established that rats are primarily nocturnal pests and you will likely not notice any signs of rats during the day. Furthermore, once inside a home, rats will typically not wish to leave the area if all of their survival needs are being met.
If you do happen to hear noise during the day, this could be signs of rats that are growing in numbers and signs like this should immediately be addressed. Noises at night such as scratching and chew sounds are considered normal signs of rats inside a home, but anything during the day means a colony is growing.
Be sure to look for a hole that leads to the outside to see if rats are coming and going between the inside and the outside during the day.
What Do Rats in the Loft Sound Like?
You can hear rats in the wall if there are no loud noises in the attic, such as televisions or loud fans or equipment, to begin with. Be sure to listen for scurrying noises behind the walls as well as a rather annoying scratching sound that is the sound rats make when they are walking along the wall and trying to find their way to the exit hole in the dark.
Call Malum Pest Control for Professional Rat Removal
If these rat control methods are not working, or you simply do not want to deal with the hassle of trapping and disposing of rats, or of having poison on your property, contact us today to discuss your options for dealing with this potentially hazardous issue.
Our pest control specialists will be able to get your rat problem under control with little effort on your part. We can also give you advice on how to control rats in the future. In fact, this is often the best course of action, because you can be assured of a solution, without risking the rat infestation getting out of control and the health hazards of a rat infestation making you sick.
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