“Man, I am tired of this- rodents in the attic. They’ve been coming and settling in, and all our wires are chewed.” We’ve heard this complaint so many times, it’s starting to sound like a broken record.
As a pest control company, we have dealt with almost all kinds of rodent infestations – short, long, minor and severe. The worst are the cases when rodents start settling down in attics. They give birth to new ones and soon a whole family is living there. They start with making holes, scratching walls, looking for food and end with insulation-tearing activities that would make any homeowner lose sleep.
So, when people come to us complaining about the chaos rodents have caused in their attic, we get it. We’ve seen it and yes, it’s every bit as bad as it sounds. Having said that, we know there’s no quick fix. What truly works is a complete approach that starts with a thorough inspection. Seal every entry point larger than a quarter inch (mice can squeeze through dime-sized holes), remove those convenient “rodent highways” like overhanging tree branches and eliminate food sources by using metal containers for storage. Then make your attic inhospitable with repellers and natural deterrents like peppermint oil, which rodents avoid because their sense of smell about 1,000 times more sensitive than ours makes strong scents unbearable. For persistent cases, consider one-way exclusion doors that let them out but not back in.
If you’re still reading, it means you’re serious about keeping rodents out of the attic and that’s exactly what this guide is here for. Let’s get into it:
Signs of Rodents in Your Attic
First, we will take you to the signs rodents unintentionally give when they start settling in a home. These signs if not ignored and taken carefully, can save you timely from big and unignorable pest trouble.
Noise
Noise, yes! It will tell you itself about the presence of rodents in the attic. Rodents, just like any other pest in the home move around in search of a warm place and food and in doing so, they make walking sounds. That sound is not something you can just ignore, it’s audible and you can’t sleep past it. Don’t overlook the weird sound of tiny feet. You’ll hear them clearly at night as they look for food. So next time you hear those small feet tapping on wood, it’s surely pest activity in the attic (most likely rodents).
Rodent Feces
When rodents are living, eating and breeding in your attic, you’ll definitely spot their feces around. These look like small, irregular black or dark-colored droppings scattered in deep corners like under furniture, behind boxes or near holes where rodents might be coming in. It’s one of the clearest signs of activity and a sign you should never ever ignore. Fresh droppings mean the rodents are active right now, not just visitors from weeks ago. And the more rodent droppings you see, the bigger the problem usually is.
Insulation and Electrical Damage
If you notice any kind of insulation damage, along with weird noises at night and those blackish-reddish droppings scattered around your home, there’s a high chance a rodent has made its way in. When rodents start settling in, they make a home for themselves and in doing so, they can damage insulated wires, pipes and sometimes even more. Rodents don’t just stop at insulation. They often chew on electrical wires too, which can cause power outages or even fire hazards. So don’t overlook such damages, take them as an early warning sign.
How To Keep Rodents Out of Your Attic?
The most effective solution is to pest proof your attic. Doing so will not only reduce the risk of rodent infestations but also prevent other pests from gaining access to your home. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Seal All Entry Points
Put an end to where they are coming from. Seal entry points, remove food sources and use repellents to prevent rodent infestations. Inspect your home for holes and gaps, particularly around the roof, vents and attic access points. (Remember that mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1/4 inch (the width of a pencil). Fill small holes with steel wool to keep it in place. Use metal flashing, hardware cloth, or cement to seal larger openings. Check around pipes, electrical wires, cables, chimneys, and other potential entry points.
Proper Food Storage and Waste Management
If you want to stop seeing rodents around, put an end to their resource supply. This means proper food storage and waste management and regular cleaning of the kitchen. Here is what you can do:
- Store all food in thick plastic, metal, or glass containers with tight lids.
- Clean up spills immediately and wash dishes after use. Don’t let them wait in the sink, the smell could be a signal for rodents.
- Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
- Use rodent-proof garbage containers and dispose of trash regularly.
Outdoor Prevention Measures
Just like indoors, outdoors also plays a role in either attracting or keeping pests away from your home. Here’s what you can do:
- Trim trees and shrubs that overhang or touch your house (rodents are excellent climbers).
- Keep woodpiles at least 100 feet from your house and elevated off the ground.
- Move bird feeders away from the house and use squirrel guards.
- Maintain a clean yard without brush piles or tall grass near your home.
- Keep compost bins at least 100 feet from your house.
Regular Home Maintenance
A little maintenance goes a long way. Here is what we mean by home maintenance:
- Inspect & replace damaged weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Install metal kick plates on the bottom of doors (that’s THE most helpful way).
- Check vertical pipes that rodents might climb and consider installing metal guards or painting with high-gloss paint bands.
- Use rodent-proof storage containers in your attic instead of cardboard boxes.
When Rodents Have Been There a While
If the rodent infestation in your attic seems long term & you have already applied all the methods we have mentioned above and still no help, try these:
- Set traps along walls and in corners where droppings are visible.
- Remove contaminated insulation to uncover hidden entry points.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect areas with rodent waste, as rodents are territorial and mark their territory with urine and feces.
- Consider installing new insulation after removing rodents and sealing entry points.
Professional Rodent Removal Services for Your Attic
If DIY methods aren’t working, consider hiring professional rodent-proofing services that can:
- Identify all hidden entry points
- Implement proper exclusion methods
- Perform thorough cleaning and disinfection
- Address any damage caused by rodents.
Fun Fact About Rodents
Did you know a single female mouse can produce up to 60 offspring in a year? Or that rats have teeth stronger than copper, aluminum, lead and iron, strong enough to eat through concrete?
Dave’s Pest Control - We Are Here For You!
Dave’s Pest Control is a proud veteran & family-owned business that has been serving Floridians for over 45 years. With decades of experience and local expertise, we understand the pest challenges you face; that’s why we guarantee pest control for your complete satisfaction!
Our rodent control service is quick, effective and just around the corner!
Conclusion
You can definitely keep rodents out of your attic if you follow smart pest control strategies that work and are proven. This includes sealing up any potential entry points, cleaning your home and attic regularly and leaving no corner untouched (especially those dark, hidden spots). Keep up with home maintenance, repair any damaged areas and if rodents still manage to settle in, get professional pest control help from an exterminator.
Rodents in the attic are something you should never ignore, let alone try to live with. They don’t just bring health risks; they can also cause serious damage to your home’s structure inside and out. Taking action early saves you stress, money and a whole lot of sleepless nights.
You should be tired of living in peace, not from a rodent’s nuisance!
