Roof Rat Control - Austin, TX

How Do I Detect Rats in My Attic or Roof?

Roof rats are most known for their agility as climbers, often making their nests in elevated areas of your Aurora property, such as trees, attics, rafters, chimneys, and roofs. They enjoy making nests in attic insulation and fibrous materials where temps stay warm. A black rat infestation is not always easily detected, because roof rats are nocturnal and forage for food at night. Here are some of the key signs of a roof rat / black rat infestation:

Scratching noises in walls, ceiling, or attic:  If you hear strange scratching in the ceiling or walls, especially at night, you might have a roof rat problem. Black rats are incredibly active in the evening hours, and can make noise as they hunt and hoard food at night.

Roof rat droppings: Black rat droppings are 1/2 inches long with pointed ends, and found in small piles. Rat droppings in your home are the most common and obvious sign of a house rat infestation and indicate that you should call your rodent and rat control professionals at Magic Pest to prevent roof rat problems from getting out of hand!

Small teeth marks or scratches: If you notice scratches or bite marks on woodwork and baseboards; holes or chewed areas in your cardboard food containers or bags of seed and pet food; or tiny footprints and greasy trail marks around your walls and in dusty areas, it might be signs you need to call the roof rat control experts at Magic Pest and Lawn.

Roof rats breed quickly and often. A standard black rat litter can have up to 8 babies, and a female roof rat can produce up to 40 babies in her lifespan. That means it’s imperative to get professional roof rat control services from Magic Pest and Lawn’s pest control teams before your rat infestation gets out of control. Due to their adaptability and agility, getting rid of roof rats can be a difficult task. Our rodent removal methods are innovative, safe, and cost-effective for your Austin household.

What Do Roof Rats Look Like?

A roof rat is also called the black rat, the grey-bellied rat, or the white-bellied rat because of its smooth, dark back/brown fur and light-toned underside. Their tails are longer than their bodies, and have a hairless scaly texture. Roof rats have large ears and eyes in relation to their bodies and a pointed nose.

Roof Rat Size: The common roof rat, or ship rat, is generally 10-12 inches long (excluding tail) and weigh between ¼ to ¾ of a pound.

Roof Rat Habitat: Roof rats can be found in nests on the ground, however, they are avid climbers and prefer elevated areas, such as trees, when they are in the wild. However, in your home, roof rats often nest in areas such as attics, rafters, ceilings, chimneys, and, as their name implies, your roof. Inside your Austin home, they can be found nesting in attic insulation or areas that are warm, and preferably near a food source. Black rats enjoy fruit primarily, but also eat veggies, seeds, nuts, grains, and other insects.

What’s the Difference Between a Norway Rat and a Roof Rat?

If you have rats in your home or office, it is likely you are dealing with either a roof rat /black rat or a Norway rat / black rat. One of the key indicators is where the rats are making their nests. Norway rats prefer areas such as pantries, basements, crawl spaces, sheds, and burrowing holes in the ground, whereas roof rats make nests in trees and high spaces such as rafters, attics, and ceilings. Here are some main differences to look for when identifying a roof rat vs. a Norway rat: