Do rats live in ceilings?

Rats are always unwelcome guests if they enter your house, but finding out they’re making a home in your ceiling can be particularly unsettling. Not only will those noisy buggers keep you up at night with their scratching and bumping, but they also carry with them a range of health risks to you, your family, your home and your pets.

The good news is that with the proper knowledge and approach, you can effectively deal with rats in your ceiling and prevent further possible infestations.

Before we discuss what to do if you find rats in your ceiling, let’s examine the signs of a rat infestation so you can tell if you have a problem.

The telltale signs of ceiling rats

While rats are usually nocturnal creatures, venturing into your home during the night, a few key signs can give you a clue as to their presence in your ceiling:

Bumps in the night
Rats are known for scratching, bumping and squeaking noises. If you’re lying in bed and you hear these sounds from your ceiling – particularly at night, that’s a pretty strong indication of a potential infestation.

Droppings, damage and demolishing
If you look in your ceiling and find small, dark pellets strewn around your ceiling or near potential entry points that’s a good sign you have rats. Because rats are chewers, you might also notice damage to your insulation, wires or even your drywall.

What’s that awful smell?
If rats live in your ceiling, there’s a good chance you will smell a strong, musky odour. Usually, this is their urine, but if it’s particularly ‘ripe,’ this can be a sign of a dead rat trapped within the ceiling.

Keeping rats out of your roof: Entry points and prevention

Rats are actually resourceful creatures and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, which means they can easily get into your ceiling. Some of the more common entry points include:

• Gaps around your vents and pipes
• Holes in soffits (that’s the underside of your roof overhang)
• Gaps or holes at the intersection of the walls and the roof
• Gaps around chimneys (if you have one)

If you’ve noticed your ceiling or roof has some of these issues, here are some preventative measures you can take to stop rats getting in:

• Seal up any potential entry points you’ve identified with caulk, wire mesh or other appropriate materials. Remember, rats can chew through a lot of things so it needs to be tough.
• Trim any tree branches that hang close to or on to your roof. These are perfect little pathways for rats to get onto your roof.
• Make sure you store food in sealed containers and get rid of any potential food sources for rats inside and outside your home (pet food, compost bins, bird seed, etc)

Removal and treatment: what are the options?

If you have a large infestation, we recommend that you do not attempt to handle it yourself. Rats can bite, and their droppings can be hazardous if not handled in the proper way. DIY methods are not always effective which can lead to a persistent problem.

The cost of a professional rat removal service can vary depending on the severity of your infestation. However, it's an investment in the safety and well-being of your home and family.

Keeping your ceiling rat-free

If you’ve had a professional pest control on your home, after the rats are gone, there's still work to be done:

• Clean up any droppings following safety guidelines (wear gloves and a mask).
• Repair any damage caused by the rats.
• Close up any holes or gaps not covered by your pest inspection and subsequent rat control service.
• Maintain a clean and clutter-free ceiling.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of future rat infestations.

Remember, prevention is always better than cure!

If you suspect you have rats in your ceiling, please feel free to call us today. We'll provide a free inspection and discuss a customised plan to eliminate these unwanted rodent guests from your ceiling and keep your home safe.