Rats in the Attic
Running and thumping overhead at night is usually roof rats. They reach the roof from trees and fences, get in at the roofline and nest in the insulation. Trap, seal the roofline, then clean up.
Call a local technician (254) 276-0111Few rodent problems are as obvious as rats in the attic. The noise starts after dark: quick runs, thumps and gnawing right over the bedroom. In Killeen, the attic rat is usually a roof rat, a climber that reaches the roof from trees, fences or power lines and slips in at a gap in the roofline.
Signs of rats in the attic
- Running, thumping or gnawing overhead at night
- Droppings on top of walls, on the HVAC platform and along rafters
- Tunnels and flattened trails in the insulation
- Chewed duct wrap, wiring or plumbing vent boots
- Greasy rub marks on beams
- A musky or ammonia smell when you open the hatch
How they get in
Texas A&M AgriLife material describes roof rats as excellent climbers that most often nest above ground. They get onto the roof from tree limbs, fences and wires, then look for a gap. Common entries on Killeen houses:
- Gaps where two roof planes meet or a roof line changes direction
- Gable and soffit vents with torn or missing screens
- Gaps between the fascia board and the roof decking
- Plumbing vent boots that have cracked
- Holes chewed through soffit panels
A rat needs only a hole about the size of a quarter, according to the same material.
The heat problem
Killeen's average highs are near 96 degrees in July and August, and attics get far hotter. That has two effects. In summer, rats stay near the eaves and move down into walls and the garage, so you may hear them in different places. And attic work for people is hard: technicians often work early in the morning, which can stretch a job over more days.
What a fix looks like
- Trapping along the top of walls and runways in the attic, with rat-size snap traps.
- Trimming tree limbs back from the roof. A tree service usually handles this.
- Sealing the roofline with metal flashing, hardware cloth, vent screens and sheet metal. The CDC lists rafters, gables, eaves and soffits among the places to check.
- Cleanup of droppings and soiled insulation once the rats are gone.
- A follow-up check after sealing.
See attic rodent cleanup for the cleanup side, and rodent exclusion for sealing.
Checking your own attic safely
If you want to look before you call, go up early in the morning when the attic is coolest. Take a flashlight, wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt, and step only on joists or decking. Look along the tops of the walls at the eaves, around the HVAC platform and ductwork, and near any light coming in from outside. Do not stir up droppings or insulation; just note what you see and where, and take photos.
Look for the entry from outside too. From the ground, scan the roofline for gaps at the eaves, torn vent screens and limbs touching the roof. Binoculars help on a two-story house.
Wiring and ducts
Rats gnaw wiring and duct wrap in attics. If you see chewed wire insulation, have an electrician look at it. If ducts are torn or crushed, an HVAC contractor can repair them after the rats are gone; leaving damaged ducts in place wastes cooling in a Killeen summer and can pull attic air into the house.
What to tell the technician
When you call, mention what time you hear the noise, which rooms it is over, how long it has gone on, whether you have seen droppings in the attic or garage, and whether any trees touch the roof. If you took photos in the attic, have them ready. That helps the technician plan the inspection and bring the right ladder.
Do not try this
Avoid setting out loose poison in the attic. Rats that eat it often die in the insulation or a wall, and the smell carries through the HVAC system. Avoid sealing every gap at once while rats are still inside; they will chew a new way out or die trapped. And do not clean up droppings in a hot, closed attic without ventilation and gloves. Don't sweep or vacuum droppings, the CDC says.
Common questions
- Are attic rats roof rats or Norway rats?
- Usually roof rats, which are climbers. Norway rats can reach the attic through wall voids but more often stay low.
- Will rats in the attic leave in summer?
- They may move to cooler parts of the house, like the walls and garage, but they rarely leave if they have food and shelter.
- Do I need to replace attic insulation?
- Only if it is heavily soiled or packed down. A small area can be removed and replaced. Ask for photos before agreeing to full replacement.
- How long does it take to get rats out of the attic?
- Often a few weeks of trapping plus a sealing visit. Rats are cautious and may avoid new traps for a few nights.