Scratching, thumping or scurrying in the ceiling at night, plus half-inch droppings in the attic, almost always means roof rats in Memphis. The plan is to trap them on their attic runways, seal the roofline openings they used once activity drops, cut tree limbs back from the roof, and then clean up or replace soiled insulation. Poison in the attic usually leads to a dead-rat smell, so most providers use traps.
Signs of rats in the attic
Look and listen for:
- Noise at night, often starting around dusk and again before dawn
- Droppings about half an inch long with a pointed end on insulation, rafters and the top of the attic access
- Trails or tunnels in loose insulation
- Chewed wiring, duct wrap or flexible duct
- Dark rub marks on rafters and beams where rats run
- Rats on the roof, gutters, fence tops or power lines at dusk
University of Kentucky pest training lists roof rat droppings at about half an inch, larger than mouse droppings at an eighth to a quarter inch. See rat droppings identification.
How they get up there
Roof rats are climbers. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency describes them as excellent climbers that use their long tail for balance and live mostly in upper parts of buildings. In Memphis, they reach roofs by:
- Tree limbs over or touching the roof, common under the old oaks and magnolias in Midtown and East Memphis
- Utility lines running from the pole to the house
- Fences, vines and ivy on walls
Once on the roof, they get in through gaps at soffits and fascia, damaged gable or soffit vent screens, roof returns where two rooflines meet, gaps around plumbing vents, and chimney chases.
Step 1: trap in the attic
University of California guidance says roof rat traps work best off the ground, on ledges, shelves, beams and pipes. In an attic, that means along top plates, on rafters near droppings, and at the edges where the roof meets the walls.
Rats can be wary of new objects, so traps sometimes sit baited but unset for a night or two. Check them often. Summer attic heat in Memphis makes catches decay fast.
Want a local technician to take a look?
(901) 256-2861Step 2: seal the roofline
Once catches drop off, seal the openings. University of California guidance recommends galvanized half-inch mesh or expanded metal over vents and steel wool, wire screen or sheet metal for gaps, and warns that rats chew through plastic, foam, wood and caulk.
Common Memphis fixes include metal flashing over chewed fascia, new mesh behind gable vents, sealed roof returns, chimney caps and screened plumbing vents. Some technicians use one-way exclusion doors at the main entry so rats can leave but not return. See rodent exclusion.
Step 3: cut back the bridges
Sealing holds up better when rats cannot reach the roof easily. Cut tree limbs back well clear of the roofline, pull ivy and vines away from the eaves, and keep fences from serving as a highway to a low roof. For big trees, a tree service is the safe route.
Step 4: deal with the mess
After the rats are gone and the roofline is sealed, look at the insulation. A few droppings near the hatch can be cleaned with gloves and the CDC's wet method. Trails across the attic, nests and a urine smell usually mean the insulation has to come out, the area disinfected and new insulation installed.
Do not sweep or vacuum droppings with a household vacuum; the CDC warns that can put contaminated particles in the air. See attic cleanup.
What rats damage in an attic
Rats in an attic cause damage that adds up:
- Chewed wiring, which can be a fire risk
- Torn duct insulation and chewed flexible duct, which can leak conditioned air and pull attic air into the house
- Insulation packed down into runways and nests, which lowers its value
- Urine and droppings soaking into insulation and wood
- Chewed roof decking and fascia around entry points
After trapping and sealing, have the technician note any wiring or duct damage, and call an electrician or HVAC contractor for repairs if needed.
Check with your insurer about coverage before repairs start. Policies differ, and many exclude damage from rodents, but it is worth asking. Keep the provider's inspection notes and photos either way, since they document what was found and when.
Why Memphis attics get hit so hard
A lot of Memphis housing is old enough that rooflines have shifted and opened up, and the tree canopy over older neighborhoods gives roof rats easy access. Long warm seasons let them breed for much of the year; the TWRA notes roof rats can breed year-round with peaks in summer and fall. A pair that gets in during the fall can be a colony by spring.
If you hear rats in the attic, do not wait for them to leave. See rat control or call to reach a local technician.
Want a local technician to take a look?
(901) 256-2861