When rats invade homes, they often settle in the walls or attics of the structures. Roof rats in particular are known for climbing to elevated areas of buildings, hence their name. Despite remaining out of sight and avoiding contact with humans, rats in walls and attics still leave signs indicating their presence within the home. Telltale clues of rat infestations include droppings, urine stains or odors, a musky smell, the sound of the rodents chewing or scurrying about, and grease marks that occur when the pests' oily fur come into contact with walls and other household surfaces.
Problems caused by Rats in Walls and Attics
In addition to the noises they make and the physical evidence they leave behind, rats in walls and attics can cause problems for residents of infested homes. Dead rats in these hard-to-reach places are difficult to remove. Furthermore, if the dead rat goes unnoticed due to inaccessibility, the decomposing body will give off a foul odor and attract other pests such as flies. Rat droppings are also a potential concern, as they can be hazardous to the health of humans if dust from the fecal matter is inhaled.
Removal
Due to their elusive nature and their ability to adapt quickly to new environment, rats are difficult to remove once an infestation becomes established. Given the health and safety risks rodents pose to humans, the challenges of rat removal are best left for pest control professionals to handle. Pest control specialists are knowledgeable about rat behavior and have the tools to locate the rodents in walls and attics, as well as experience in handling the animals safety.
Learn more about rat removal.