Picture of a Roof Rat

How Do Roof Rats Get in the House?

Roof rats climb trees with ease and can scamper up siding onto roofs in a matter of minutes. From there, the pests have their pick of ways to get indoors, including chimneys, attic vents, and gaps in roofing. Holes no larger than a quarter can be big enough to let a roof rat in the house.

Where Do Roof Rats Live Indoors?

Tight, elevated spaces like attics, wall voids, false ceilings, and tall cabinets are favorite nesting spots for roof rats in the house. People may even spot these agile pests traveling along roof beams or dropping down into kitchens and living areas in search of food.

Dangers & Damage

Roof rats in houses frustrate residents in many ways, including:

  • Leaving greasy rub marks on walls and surfaces
  • Creating foul smells with their filthy nests and scattered droppings
  • Making loud scratching and squeaking sounds in walls at night

In addition, roof rats in the home can pose more serious health and safety issues:

  • Disease - Roof rat droppings and urine often carry bacteria harmful to humans. Coming in contact with these germs may cause salmonellosis or other ailments. Fleas and ticks in the pests' fur spread plague and murine typhus as well.
  • Damage - Like all rodents, these pests have the constant urge to gnaw. Roof rats in houses are often responsible for teeth marks and splintered edges on wood trim, furniture, and support beams.
  • Danger - The pests' gnawing behavior can also present some dangers to residents. Roof rats love to chew wires in walls and electronics, which can cause power shorts or even house fires.

Get Rid of Roof Rats
Because of the risks posed by their presence, roof rats in homes are unsafe. Putting off removal not only creates a greater chance of disease and damage, but it also gives these quick-breeding rodents time to spread throughout the house. Call Critter Control at the first sign of roof rat trouble.

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Best Bat Removal

Anett B.
5/8/2023
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
Celia G
3/9/2023
Bat removal. Very knowledgeable and dedicated.
Emily G.
9/1/2022
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in Tulsa!
Jerry M.
10/14/2021
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.

Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.

Because bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
Vincent S.
10/30/2020
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious bat droppings.

Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.

She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!

Service: Bat Removal
Sonia-Maria R.
9/3/2020
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.

He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!

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