Roof rats: the Los Angeles rat
Most attic rats in Los Angeles are roof rats. They are climbers: they live in palms, ivy and fruit trees, run along fences and power lines, and get onto the roof from branches that touch it. From there, a gap at the eaves or a loose vent screen is enough.
Norway rats are the other species. They burrow, and turn up more near the coast, around sewers and under homes. Either way the job is the same: remove the ones inside, then close the way in.
Signs of rats
- Running or scratching overhead at night
- Droppings about half an inch long, with blunt ends
- Half-eaten oranges or avocados still on the tree
- Chewed wiring in the attic or under the car hood
- Dark grease marks along beams, pipes or fence tops
What rat removal includes
- An inspection that finds the entry points first
- Traps set where the rats actually travel, no poison baits inside
- Follow-up visits to check and clear the traps
- Sealing of the entry points (see rodent proofing)
- Written terms for the warranty on the sealing work