Roof Rats
Having roof rats in your home is more than a nuisance, it can be dangerous. Rats can cause damage to your home and can be a health hazard to your family. Here’s how to identify and remove roof rats …

Pest
Roof Rats
Pest Category
Rodent
Do They Carry Disease?
Yes
Do They Cause Structural Damage?
Yes
Cost of Damage

Damage Roof Rats Can Do to Your Home
Additional note: A rodent’s teeth never stop growing, so they constantly have the need to gnaw and chew on objects. Their chewing compulsion combined with the strength of their teeth gives rats the ability to cause significant damage to electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, wood, stucco, plaster, and other surfaces as well as items in your home. Therefore, it is crucial to remove them from a building as soon as possible.
Signs of a Roof Rat Infestation
Where are Roof Rats Found in a Home?
While roof rats are most often noticed in attics and upper parts of structures, they also can be found in walls and crawlspaces.
If Untreated…
If a roof rat infestation is left untreated, the cost to repair and/or replace damaged items and structural damage could range anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. There are potential health risks and concerns related to living conditions for humans as well.
Risks and Dangers of Roof Rats in Your Home
Rats cause damage to a variety of places in your home. They chew through whatever is in their way in order to get to both a warm and dry place. By chewing through insulation and ducting, rats cause your heating bills to rise drastically. They chew through electrical wiring, which can cause electrical fires. Additionally, they chew through plumbing fixtures, which can cause flooding. Another way they can cause damage is from both their droppings and urine stains on wood and insulation.
Rats also pose health risks to you and your family. They can carry diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus. And their droppings, urine, and fur can contaminate surfaces and food in your home. Additionally, rodent allergens can trigger allergies and worsen asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Tips to Keep Your Home Rodent-Free
If you have roof rats in your home, you need a comprehensive approach to get rid of them and keep others from coming back. This includes the following:
Photo of Damage
