Tips For Rodent-Proofing Your Attic!
You may think of your attic as just a place to store Christmas decorations or boxes of old things you can’t seem to part with – but it is so much more! Your attic is a safe and warm place for rodents to nest and make their own. Unlike the rest of your home, you rarely visit your attic, so an infestation can easily grow undetected before any action is taken. These pests also reproduce quickly, causing a small infestation to become a big problem in just a matter of weeks. This is why rat-proofing your attic is so important!
Rodents find their way into your home through the tiniest spaces. In fact, sometimes they’ll chew through wood, plastic, or drywall and create their own path. Once they’re in, they’ll begin to nest and gather food from your home. Not only can rats and mice damage your stored possessions, but they can be a significant health risk by spreading diseases or contaminating food in your home. Luckily, the pest control professionals at Pointe Pest Control are here to share some of their best tips and tricks for how to rodent-proof your attic, which include:
- Storing Perishables
- Heavy Duty Storage
- Inspecting Your Attic
- Cutting Vegetation Back
How Do Rats Get In The Attic?
If you are noticing odd noises coming from your attic, chances are you have rodents running around and causing many issues up there. Attics are dark and humid, so this becomes the perfect hiding spot for this pest. Rats are excellent climbers and can squeeze through very small openings. If there is any opening at all into your attic, rats will likely be able to find it and get inside. Once they’re in, they will nest and start breeding, quickly becoming a big problem.
Some of the most common ways that rats gain access to attics are:
- Open doors or windows
- Holes in the roof or eaves
- Vents with broken or missing screens
- Gaps around utility lines or pipes coming into the house
Dangers Of Rats In The Attic
Rats and mice can cause a lot of damage to your home if they get into your attic. They will gnaw on wires and insulation, which can create fire hazards. Additionally, their droppings can contaminate the insulation and lead to serious health problems for you and your family. If you think you have rats in your attic, it’s important to take immediate action to remove them before they cause further damage or harm.
Rat Removal Tips
Unfortunately, rodents are one of the most common pests to disturb your personal space, and the attic is a perfect hiding spot for them. Follow these tips on proper rat control:
Don’t Store Perishables
Rodents love cardboard and have been known to eat through boxes to get to whatever is being stored inside. One of the most common reasons people find themselves battling a serious rodent infestation is because they are storing materials in their attic that are attractive to pests.
Most people know that they shouldn’t store food items in their attic, but may not realize that things like scented candles, dried food, and living plants can attract an infestation as well. We know you’ve been holding onto that cherished macaroni photo frame your children made you in preschool, or that gingerbread star Christmas ornament you begrudgingly hang every year, but to rodents, those are food! Rats in the attic will look for any perishable food to chew through, so it’s important to keep your attic as clean as possible.
Upgrade to Heavy Duty Storage
Cardboard boxes are cheap and do a great job holding that box of old junk you moved from the garbage, but they also put your possessions at a greater risk. Your thin layer of cardboard is nothing to rodents – they’ll chew right through it. Upgrading to rodent-proof storage will save any of your perishable items that are kept in the attic.
Ditch the cardboard and upgrade to plastic containers to store your belongings. They are much more difficult for rodents to get into, but they’re also more space-efficient since they’re easier to stack. Reducing the clutter in your attic makes your space less attractive for pests. They also come in handy if your attic sustains any water damage! Cardboard wouldn’t stand up for long against a moist environment, but plastic can keep your prized possessions dry and safe.
Inspect Your Attic Regularly
Because rats infest your home quickly and quietly, it is essential that you inspect your attic regularly for signs of rodent activity. Look for droppings, gnaw marks on boxes, or other visible signs of their presence. Regular treatments from a pest professional can limit risk factors and identify an infestation before it can spread. Even if you don’t think you have rats in the attic, make sure to check for signs of a rodent problem every so often. There may not be a full blown infestation, but even a rat or two could turn into a future problem.
Cut Overgrown Tree Limbs
Rodents have to make it to your attic somehow. One of the most common ways rodents find their way into your attic is through trees that have grown too close to your roof. They’ll simply climb up the tree, crawl across the branches, and sneak through a hole or opening. To prevent this, make sure you’re trimming back any branches that may be hanging over your roof. This will help tremendously in keeping mice and rats out of your home.
Professional Rodent Control
You don’t have to let these pests share your attic space. With a few smart moves, you can keep your belongings and home protected from pest invasions. If rats and mice are making you feel uncomfortable in your home or putting your possessions at risk, let the pest control experts at Pointe Pest Control help. Learn more about our rodent control plans, and kick rats and mice to the curb for good!
