6 Signs That Rats Are Living in Your Attic
If rodents get into the attic of your home, they can cause a lot of damage which could both be expensive to repair and could place the health and wellbeing of your family at risk. Below is a guide to some of the common signs that you have a problem with rats in your attic.
Urine
Rat urine can smell really bad. Rats frequently urinate as they move around as a way of marking their territory. Unfortunately, rat urine is full of pheromones which can help to attract other rats into your home. Rat urine can also carry disease so you should exercise caution when cleaning it up.
Damaged cables
If you have cables which are not boxed in or covered in your attic, they will be very attractive to rats. Rats can quickly chew through the plastic casing of a cable using their powerful teeth. Once they have done this, the electrical wires will be exposed and this could lead to an electrical fire breaking out in your attic.
Staining
Rat fur contains a grease. As they rub up against the sides of your loft, this grease will be deposited leaving a stain mark. The grease from a rat also contains pheromones which can attract other rats into the area.
Droppings
Wherever a rat has been, you are certain to find droppings. Rat droppings are small and hard. They often do not smell bad but they can carry disease so you should never handle droppings without wearing gloves and a face mask.
Damaged insulation
Another prime sign that rats are up to no good in your attic is damage to the insulation. As rats run on top of the insulation, they will compress it. Rats may also rip up pieces of insulation so they can use it as part of their nest. If you inspect the insulation in your attic and see that it has been disturbed, this could be a sign of a rat infestation.
Deceased rats
If you notice a bad smell coming from your attic space, this could be due to a dead rat. Rats do not have a very long lifespan and they can sometimes die in conflicts with other rats or due to disease. If you spot a dead rat in your attic, you should not touch it as it could be carrying disease. If you spot any of these warning signs, you should contact a pest control company today.
