The document outlines essential steps to deal with roof rat infestations, emphasizing the importance of sealing entry points and avoiding poison. It recommends preventive measures such as keeping the roof rodent-proof, using rat-repellent products, and maintaining cleanliness both indoors and outdoors. If infestations persist, seeking professional pest control assistance is advised.

1. www.erwinpest.com
The One Thing You Must Do If You Have A
Roof Rat Infestation
It seems like everywhere you look, there’s a rat sighting. It seems like every
time there’s a storm, there’s a flood of home repairs and maintenance. It
seems like your neighbors are battling rodents on a regular basis. All of this
means that you probably have a rat problem too. When a colony of rats
infests your home or property, whether it’s a single rat or a large number of
rats, the problem is one that you need to deal with as soon as possible.
The sooner you take action to eradicate the rats from your home or
property, the sooner you can move on with your life.
When you think of pests, you probably don’t think of rats as one of them.
But, in many parts of the world, rats are a common problem and they could
be in your home or business as well. If you have rats in your home or
business, you know that they can cause a great deal of problems for you
and your family. Roofs are particularly vulnerable to infestation. Lacking
barriers from the outside, they are great access points for rats as well as
other vermin. Even if you don’t see rats, they are almost certainly there.
They will chew through materials and create holes, leaving behind their
waste. You might not see them, but you can see the damage that they do.
The good news is that there are a number of things that you can do to deal

2. with a roof rat infestation and keep them on your side for good. Here is
what you need to know.
Make sure your roof is rodent-proof
The first thing you will want to do when you notice any signs of rats is to
make sure that your roof is rodent-proof. Rats are known to chew through
materials, including insulation and wiring. You can prevent this by sealing
off any holes or cracks in the attic. Make sure that the top of the house is
sealed well, this includes the vents and windows. If you have a chimney, be
sure to seal it off too with metal flashing or something similar so that there
are no openings for rats to get in. You should also make sure that there are
no gaps around pipes, doorways, electrical outlets, etc. Lastly, if you have
a shed on your property, be sure to seal it up as well. Rats will often nest in
these places if they cannot get into your home and it’s important to stop
them before they can establish themselves here.
Don’t use poison
Poisoning rats can be dangerous to humans and pets, and it doesn’t solve
your roof rat problem. Instead, call an exterminator as soon as possible.
The sooner a rat infestation is detected, the easier it is to control it. If you
wait too long to get help, the rats will get into additional areas of your home
and make it harder to get rid of them. This is because adult rats are more
likely than babies to survive a poisoning attempt. Poisoning is only effective
if it’s done quickly and correctly. The best time to try to kill rats with poison
is within 12 hours of spotting the first rat.
Use Rat-repellent products
Rat-repellent products are a great way to prevent a rat problem. If you
already have a roof rat problem, they can also help you fight it off. This is
because some products are effective at repelling rats and keeping them
away from you. The key to success with products like this is to use them
correctly. If you try to save money by not buying a commercial-grade
product, you’re likely to get nothing in return. This is because not all rats
are attracted to the same smells.

3. Drain and clean the sink traps
If you have a drain or sink with a cover trap, then it’s important to keep
checking and cleaning it. Rats will often use the traps in sinks as toilets, so
it’s important to clean them out regularly. It’s also a good idea to keep your
sink away from the edges of your countertop and away from other items
that rats can use to climb onto the counter.
Seal any holes
Fixing your roof is an excellent place to start rat control, but it’s also
important to keep checking and sealing all the holes that could be used by
rats to get in and out of your house. Seal all the cracks in exterior walls and
doors, and don’t leave holes that could be used to get into your attic or
chimney.
The first step to taking care of a rat infestation is ensuring the ones you
have are not in the process of making more. They can easily get into your
home through any holes they find, but you can seal them up with metal
mesh. Simply place it over your hole and make sure it is tight. One thing
that you should always be on the lookout for is any holes leading outside.
Rats will chew through things like vents, electrical wiring, and more, so be
sure to seal those as well. If necessary, use metal mesh to cover these
holes as well.

4. Keep your yard mowed and keep your trash tightly
covered
Keeping your lawn mowed and keeping your trash tightly covered are two
of the most important things you can do to keep rats from coming inside.
Rats need to be able to get in, but they also need a way out. A rat
infestation often happens when there is a food source that the rodents can
access, but they can’t find their way out of the building. To prevent this, it is
important to make sure that any holes in your yard are patched up so that
rats can’t get in and feel safe living near your home. It is also important to
clean up after yourself outside and make sure that your trash cans are
tightly sealed. This will not only keep rats from making their way into your
business or home, but it will also avoid attracting other animals as well.
Clean out bird nests
It’s important to clean out bird nests from your gutters and chimneys to
prevent rats from using them as a way to get into your home. You should
also clean out your chimney regularly to prevent a serious rat problem.
Remember, the bigger the nest, the greater the chance that rats will be
attracted to it.

5. Install motion-activated lights and a solar-powered fan
One option is to install a motion-activated light on the roof. When the lights
go off, it will trigger the rat’s natural aversion to being in the open. A solar
powered fan will also help as it can create a breeze that will drive rats away
and keep them from nesting in your home or business.
Install a weathervane
If you have a roof with a pitch, then you should consider installing a
weathervane. This will help to direct the wind and keep the pitch level on
your roof. A level pitch will help to prevent rats from getting on your roof
and making your home unsafe for occupants.
Install audio sensors and an air pump
One of the easiest ways to get rid of rats is to make it impossible for them
to stay. Rats are not only drawn to the smell of food in your home, they’re
also attracted by sounds. Since they have a highly sensitive sense of
hearing, installing audio sensors with an air pump will send waves of sound
that will shake them off your roof. The vibrations and noise will keep them
away and you’ll never see them again.
Keep your home clean and your food storage tightly
sealed
It sounds basic, but it is extremely important. If you make sure that your
home stays clean and that your food storage containers are tightly sealed,
you will have a much better chance of keeping the rats out. But, if they are
already there, it will help keep them from multiplying too quickly.
Rats are a persistent pest. Your first line of defense should be a rooftop
that is rodent-proof, but there are more things you can do to keep them
away. Install motion-activated lights and a solar powered fan to discourage
rats from coming into your home. Install audio sensors and an air pump to
keep the rats out of your attic. Keep your home clean and your food
storage tightly sealed to avoid attracting rats.

6. You should consider
You should consider following these simple steps before hiring a
professional to fix that roof rat problem. The key is to start by securing all
the entry points to your roof. Once this is done, you can use a variety of rat-
proofing measures, such as a rat-proof trash can and a weathervane to
keep the rats out. Keep in mind that you can never be 100% sure that you
have rats on your roof unless you take the time to look.
If that doesn’t work and you just realize that you have a rat problem that is
getting out of hand, you should hire a professional that can help fix that
problem.
Visit and contact a pest control specialist at:
www.erwinpest.com