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Stop Rat Damage in your Attic

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Attic Rats, Roof Rats. No Comments on Stop Rat Damage in your Attic

Stop Rat Damage in your Attic

Rats are the scourge of every homeowner, because they can cause a tremendous amount of damage to a house. This is particularly true in attics, which rats universally love. If you suspect rats are in your attic you must act quickly, or face the prospect of an infestation. Let’s take a closer look at the damage rats can cause – and how to get rid of them.

Damage

What kind of damage can one rat do to your attic? The truth is that one rat won’t do much damage at all. The problem, of course, is there is never just one rat. Rats breed quickly. One pair of rats can produce as many as 2,000 offspring a year. Yes, 2,000 baby rats in your attic. Predators, or a lack of food, are about the only things that will slow them down.

Insulation is the first target of a rat infestation. Rodents use the fibers to build nests and create pathways throughout the attic. Humans have duct tape – the rat equivalent is insulation. Ultimately, this results in your home’s insulation losing much of its functionality. If your heating bills seem to go up a bit more than you would expect every year, this may well be the problem.

A rat problem can also cause major health issues. They will defecate and urinate all over the attic. This introduces parasites, bacteria and other nasty microscopic creatures to the interior environment of your home.

Then there is death. While rats have been blamed for spreading plagues throughout history, we are talking about a different type of death in this case – a dead rat inside the walls of your home. The smell is legendary, difficult to remove, and not something you would ever want to experience.

Decontaminate

Once you realize you have a rat problem, decontaminating the attic and walls is a must. It’s highly recommended that you use a professional service since getting rid of rats requires a thorough effort. The general strategy first focuses on eradicating the rats. This is done through trapping and poisoning. Trapping is fairly simple, but the process of poisoning rats must be handled carefully. Again, the use of a professional is highly advised. The last thing you want to do is poison your cat, dog or child.

After the eradication is underway, the home needs to be inspected closely to identify all of the places where rats might be able to enter the structure. Any opening larger than a dime should be sealed. If this step is not taken, there is nothing to stop more rats from settling in your home again.

The final step is to decontaminate the attic. All waste must be picked up and removed. Areas where rats have relieved themselves should be cleaned with a disinfectant, or a mixture of bleach and water. The insulation should then be closely inspected to determine how much damage has been done by the rats, and if mold is present. In most cases, some or all of the insulation will need to be replaced.

Getting Help

A rat problem is more than just an annoyance and should be taken seriously. Rats can cause damage to your home and are known to carry disease. If you suspect rats are in your attic, contact us today to arrange an inspection.

Free Estimate

Our experienced technicians will provide a free written recommendation detailing the proper actions needed to restore your home to a safe and healthy environment. When you need attic cleanup, crawl space cleanup, rodent proofing, decontamination, insulation removal or insulation replacement in San Diego call Attic Construction Inc at 858-609-8118.

How To Rodent Proof Your San Diego Home and Attic

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Attic Rats, Roof Rats. No Comments on How To Rodent Proof Your San Diego Home and Attic

There are many types of rodents, but what they all have in common is that they tend to carry disease. That’s a major reason why keeping them out of your home is so important – it protects your family’s health. Let’s take a closer look at the steps necessary to rodent proof a home and attic. This way you can avoid a rodent clean up and decontamination!

Denying Mice & Rats Opportunities to Nest

In order to rodent proof a home the first thing you have to do is recognize what these animals find attractive about your living space. In general, they are looking for protected areas that are warm and have access to water. If you eliminate these areas, or at least remove the incentive for mice or rats to invade your home, you have usually solved the problem.

Your Junk Storage Items Make Great Rodent Dens

Think about your garage and attic. Is it starting to look like A&E might be visiting to film an episode of Hoarders? Do people kid you about how packed your “empty spaces” are with boxes and useless items? Are you unable to park both your cars in your garage because of all the clutter – or unable to fit another box in your attic? You have created a paradise for rodents. Behind all of that junk are the perfect spots for rodents to settle down and raise a family – or ten.

To be blunt, you are asking for a rodent infestation. To address the problem, you need to remove all of the junk from your garage, attic and sheds. Not sure what to do with it? Two words: garage sale. If you absolutely need it, rent a storage unit and let the owners worry about mice and rats.

Palm Tree Rats

In San Diego, we have a unique issue with palm trees. Palm trees are beautiful, but rats love to climb them and live in the fronds. To prevent this, consider buying a descending plastic cone. These cones can be fastened around the trunk of the palm. They face down much like a lampshade, and prevent rats from getting up into the fronds.

Do Fruit Trees Attract Rats and Mice?

Fruit trees Roof Rats love citrus even ornamental fruit is a delicacy they can’t resist. The best measure is to pick the fruit from the trees removing this steady source of food for roof rats can reduce the risk invitation for an infestation.

Rodent Proof Insulation for Attics and Homes

We love insulation because it keeps us warm and cozy during even the coldest days of winter. Unfortunately rats, mice, and other pests love insulation for the same reasons! The first step in fixing an attic or crawl space that has been overrun with rats is often to clean out the damage they’ve done and put in place barriers to seal indoor spaces from outside rodents looking to move in. Removing insulation can be tricky business, especially when it’s been contaminated by bacteria harboring urine and feces. Truly rodent proof insulating requires sealing home openings that have become rodent entry points before installing fresh material.

Home Openings: Attics, Walls and Crawlspaces

The next focus is on your home itself. Rats and mice often view the home as a paradise of sorts, since it is warm and a haven of protection against predators. If rodents can get inside, they can generally live a worry-free life while being fruitful and multiplying at alarming rates.

The major concerns are holes or cracks on the exterior of the home. They need to be sealed. Are small cracks really a concern? Yes. Rats and mice can squeeze through just about any space as long as they can get their heads through the opening. For a rat, this means a space roughly a quarter in size. For mice, we are talking about a hole the size of a dime or penny.

Now that you know what to look for, start doing laps around your home. Rodents can climb, so focus on the entire structure, including vent and air duct openings. Any holes where pipes and wires enter the home must be properly sealed. Locations where air flow is needed, such as vents, can be protected from rodents by mounting cooper wool on the interior. The wool will allow air flow, but will keep rodents out – since the animals cannot chew through the copper.

Free Rodent Proofing Estimates

Our experienced technicians will provide a free written recommendation detailing the proper actions needed to restore your home to a safe and healthy environment. When you need attic cleanup, crawl space cleanup, rodent proofing, decontamination, insulation removal or insulation replacement in San Diego call Attic Construction Inc at 858-609-8118.

Roof Rats San Diego – What to Do When You Find Rodents in Your Attic

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Attic Rats, Roof Rats. No Comments on Roof Rats San Diego – What to Do When You Find Rodents in Your Attic

To rodent proof your San Diego home, and guard against pesky roof rats, it helps to get a better understanding of the problem. This is our in-depth guide to dealing with unwanted rodent roomates.

Roof Rats: A few facts and figures

Rattus rattus is the Latin word scientifically given to the species of rat commonly identified as roof rats. also known as ship rats, Alexandrian rats, and most notoriously, black rats. An abundant supply of nourishment along with an ill-lit area provides the perfect conditions for inviting in a whole host of these unwanted guests. Attics, false ceilings and hollow wall openings (crawl spaces) attract them the most because these nocturnal creatures prefer to stay hidden and out of view.

The most detrimental aspect of these pesky animals is the fact that they have been historically known to carry deadly diseases – including the bubonic plague. Nowadays, they transmit diseases by contaminating our food and water supplies. Additionally, rat bites and even flea bites from fleas which have bitten infected rats beforehand are known sources of disease transmission. Besides fleas, a number of other parasitic insects transmit diseases indirectly from rats to humans.

Here are a few of the distinguishing features of Roof Rats:

  • They are nocturnal animals and rarely emerge during the day.
  • The upper level of your home is their favorite breeding ground.
  • They are known to be omnivorous but prefer a vegetarian diet.
  • A quarter size opening is all they need to invade your premises.
  • The Nests they create can pose a substantial threat to building foundations.
  • Roof rats are known lovers of fresh citrus fruits such as oranges and nectarines.
  • They have been known to chew through and compromise electric wiring, plastic, and lead pipes.
  • They mate and breed all year long have a gestation period of 21 days where they have about 7 pups per litter the litter will be at breeding age within 3 months.
  • Before moving into human structures they were primarily arboreal (living in tress), which helps to account for their ability to move swiftly along power cables, vines, and roofs.

Appearance

You can easily identify a roof rat from a Norway rat or house mice by its peculiar features; a muzzle pointed nose, scaly tail longer than their bodies, brownish gray to dark brown complexion, smooth fur and large ears.

Is San Diego infested with roof rats?

Out of all the categories of rats roaming around, roof rats are the most frequently found species in San Diego County. Southern California in general, but specifically San Diego, is a hotbed for roof rat activity. In fact, scientists have concluded through the analysis of many studies that rattus rattus colonies thrive within 100 miles of coastal areas. There have even been a few documented instances of roof rat colonies flourishing well beyond this threshold limit.

The coastal vegetation dotting San Diego is the paramount reason for rodent’s overpopulated existence in this area. In short, it is an ideal breeding ground for many species of rats, and specifically roof rats, because they feed on this vegetation. Their primary target is the regions orange and pomegranate farms.

See Also: How to Rodent Proof Your Attic Insulation

How would I know if roof rats are already inside my home?

If you hear strange noises such as scratching, gnawing, and scraping coming from the walls at night, chances are it’s not your imagination. The easiest way to confirm an infestation is to sweep the suspected area in search of the long cylindrical droppings of roof rats and the distinct smell of their urine. Yet another method is to look out for half-eaten citrus fruits in your garden or backyard, because as mentioned earlier, these are their favorite snacks.

If you have a dog or a cat at home then they too can become your secret agents in locating these creepy rodents. This is because pets tend to vigorously sniff around the vicinity of an infestation. If your animal is constantly whiffing around a suspicious area in your home, it may be time to check for an invasion.

Follow These Simple Steps to Block Roof Rats from Entering Your Home

  • Never leave fallen citrus in your garden.
  • Do not keep large wood or brush piles in your yard.
  • Use chimney caps to prevent entry via your fireplace.
  • Seal off every crevice in your home down to the size of a nickel.
  • Keep any palm trees well-groomed as they are a known attractant of these rodents.
  • Keep food out of their reach and ensure that there is no pet food for them to nibble upon.
  • Make sure that your pets entry doors and screens are sealed and secured before going to bed.
  • Regularly prune shrubs and trees in your yard to a minimum height so their base is observable.

If you implement these simple yet crucial steps to safeguarding your home, I can assure you that these dark brown nuisances will not succeed in gaining entry and establishing a colony.

How to eradicate roof rats from your home.

The most obvious way to eradicate a colony of roof rats is to entrap or dispose of the roof rats who have gained entry into your house. Attic Construction provides attic cleaning, insulation installation , insulation removal and replacement, and rodent proofing.

Why you should take against roof rats action now.

If you think you have a roof rat problem it is advised that you take immediate action. Oftentimes people simply ignore an infestation until it becomes too big to handle. If you let the conditions dissolve to that point, then you may end up spending several times what you would have spent to alleviate the problem had you had acted swiftly. Waiting to solve your rodent problem will only increase the damage and cost associated with early prevention and elimination.

Professional Rodent Control Solution – Attic Construction

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Attic Rats, Roof Rats. No Comments on Professional Rodent Control Solution – Attic Construction

Rodent Control & Disinfestation Service

Attic Constriction Inc uses a three tiered approach to eradicating and rodent proofing your property. The respective phases are as follows –

  1. Assessment Assess the infestation and determine its scope.
  2. Segregation Segregate and trap the rodents.
  3. Clean-out / Sanitation / Restoration Remove the vermin from the premises, sanitize, and restore.

Following these three phases is a must if you want your home to remain free of future infestations, skipping even one of these recommended steps can make your home vulnerable to reentry and re-infestation. Attic Construction provides attic cleanout services, our experts will perform a complete cleansing process of your homes’ polluted insulation seal rodent friendly entry points leading to attic and narrow crawl spaces. As hidden rodent droppings and other remains can be a hazardous source of infectious disease in your home, removing them can result in huge health benefits. Amusingly, one other unrelated benefit of removing infested insulation is increased energy proficiency.

Rodent Assessment and Initial Analysis

We all are quite aware of the spread and reach of this rodent infestation around us. Whether it’s your own home, your neighborhood, or the community at large, rodent infestations show no signs of easing up. Even newly constructed homes are not spared by these vermin.

To eliminate rodent infestation problems, the need for a skillful and dedicated team is imperative. This is where we come into the picture as the assessments done by our trained inspectors are in depth we  inspect the property both internally and externally. Our assessments are meticulously done with a focus on even the minute details.

We have a unique way of identifying and categorizing a customer’s home in two sections; Hot and Soft.

  • Soft spots: areas which are most vulnerable to the next rodent reentry attempt.
  • Hot spots: areas where the rodents are most functional and are completely settled in.

After a hot and soft spot analysis has been completed, we perform yet another detailed inspection identifying and eliminating other rodent vulnerabilities including but not limited to:

  • Secret tunnels and trails.
  • Spoiled foundation vents.
  • Cavities in exhaust ductwork.
  • Mouse or rat nest identification.
  • Seriously damaged insulation ducts.
  • Sources of odor and fleas such as pets.
  • Gnawed upon wires which can cause short circuits or even major fires.

The home owner is made an active participant in the whole process; we present to them detailed diagrams which summarize our findings and present a long-term strategy for effective rodent removal.

The home owner’s confidence and support in our assessment is very crucial for this exercise to be a fruitful one. We are aware that our competitors might be offering cheaper assessments to you, but the fact is, simply demanding less money does not equate into an effective rodent control solution. With that in mind, consider that Attic Construction charges a reasonable rate, and always provide premium quality services. Their experience, qualified staff, and technical knowhow make this level of quality possible, and they take pride in the effectiveness of their rodent control solutions.

Rodent Control: Segregation or Exclusion Phase – Blocking their entry permanently

In this phase of the rodent control treatment, we start the process of shutting off and sealing any rodent reentry points which we identified during the first step of inspection. Here we employ the strategy of looking at things from “a rat’s perspective” and focusing on discovering each nook and cranny that may be used to breach the premises. Attic Construction’s extensive rodent expertise as well as their specialization in construction repair work is the skill combination set needed to decode this infestation puzzle.

Sniffing out the rodent’s secret entry tunnel, hole, or even crevice is a job which requires detailed scrutiny. This is where the art and science of Attic Construction’s rodent exclusion methodology comes into play.

Cleanout/Sanitization/Restoration Phase

Once the rodents have all been segregated then it is time to remove them and begin sanitizing and restoring the premises. The rodents leave behind a trail of droppings, urine, and other filth. This vile mix of disease carrying contents is going to continue causing an unbearable stench until you get it cleaned up. Even if selling your home is not on your to-do-list, you still cannot afford to take the risk of living in such a hazardous zone.

In addition to the feces and urine, many animals including rodents secrete a strong smelling chemical called a Pheromone, which helps them to attract mates. Unfortunately, the stench of this chemical remains in your home for a long time after an animal has secreted it. Even more unfortunate, is the fact that this pheromone acts as an open invitation for other rodents to move into your home. During this sanitation process we remove all rodent matter from your home such as feces, urine and pheromones accumulated over time. We use vapor barriers, sanitizing solutions, and organic deodorants at rodent hot spots to make this smell disappear once and for all.

Services offered by Attic Construction Inc

  • Ventilation duct repair.
  • Crawl space cleaning services and drainage cleanup and restoration.
  • Rodent exclusion service (keep them blocked out for good.)
  • Restoration (repair and insulation installation)
  • Clean out (rodent clean up & removal of rodent waste and filth along with the removal of damaged insulation.)
  • Restoration of damaged structural areas and sealing off any existing access points.
  • Disposal of gnawed upon wiring and elimination any remaining safety hazards.
  • Home/building rodent assessment (extent of damage, segregation, and control.)
  • Sanitation (elimination of all sorts of odors by clearing urine, droppings and pheromone trails)

Rodent Identification San Diego Attic Cleaning

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Attic Rats, Roof Rats. No Comments on Rodent Identification San Diego Attic Cleaning

What kind of rodent is it?

Are you experiencing a rodent infestation or worried that you may need rodent proofing for your house. Here is a simple guide to rodent identification to determine what type of  rodents are living in and around your property.

House Mouse

  • House Mouseweighs only 1/2 to 3/4 of an ounce.
  • Average body length is 2-1/2inch to 3-1/2inch.
  • their tail is approximately 3 to 4 inches in length.
  • Ears are large and prominent.
  • The house mouse is gray on it’s back and lighter gray on it’s belly.
  • The droppings are pointed and average 1/4 inch in length.

The house mouse prefers meats, grains, cereals, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and will eat almost anything a human will consume. The house mouse consumes 1/10th an ounce of food per day and 1/20th of an ounce of water. Droppings produced are around 50 per day. Their are 6 young in a litter, and 8 litters per year; adults live about 15 – 18 months.

The house mouse only has an average range of 50 feet from the nest and they will nest in any portion of the building near food.

They are active mostly at night. Instead of consuming a large meal they primarily just nibble small amounts of food. They are extremely curious.

Norway Rats

  • Average body weight of 10 to 17 ounces, their body is heavy and broad, average body length between 7 to 10 inches.
  • The head is long and has a blunt nose.
  • The Norway rat tail is usually about 6 inches long and is never as long as the body.
  • The ears are typically small and held tightly against the body.
  • The color is brown to black on the back and sides, and gray to yellow on the belly.
  • Droppings are blunt and have an average length of 3/4 of an inch.

The Norway Rat prefers to feed on meats, fish, flour, Grains, fruits, and vegetables. It will eat almost any human consumed food. They consume about 1 ounce of food per day and about 3/4 of an ounce of water and produce anywhere from 30 to 180 droppings. There are from 6 – 18 baby pups in each litter, and 3 – 7 litters per year; adults live about 18 months.

The Norway rat usually nests in basements & lower portions of buildings. They often burrow in the soil and have extensive runs. The Norway rat is active primarily at night and they are decent climbers and excellent swimmers. Rats are suspicious of changes in the environment or new foods. This makes it difficult to trap or poison them. They are generally nocturnal in nature with heavy activity at dusk or before dawn.

When competing for food and shelter due to a large population increased activity can be seen during the day.

Roof Rat

  • The Roof Rat average body weight is 6 to 12 ounce, and has a long slender body, usually 6 to 8 inches in length.
  • The nose is pointed compared to the Norway Rat and the ears are large and very prominently displayed.
  • The tail is long and uniform in color, and can usually reach the tip of its nose.
  • The color is black on the back and grayish white on the underside.
  • Droppings are pointed and an average 1/2 inch in length.

The roof rat typically eats seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains and eggs. The roof rat will consume about an ounce of food and an ounce of water each day, producing 30 to 180 droppings per day. There are 6 – 14 baby pups in each litter and 3 – 7 litters per year. Adults live to about 18 months.

Roof Rats usually enter and nest in upper portions of buildings. They can nest outside in trees, especially in palms and ivy. They rarely burrow and are excellent climbers. Roof Rats are very active at night and just like the Norway Rat they are suspicious of changes in the environment and new foods.

We also offer rodent clean up, animal proofing, attic cleaning & insulation installation in Orange County & San Diego.

Outside Southern California? We offer attic decontimination, insulation installation, and insulation removal services in Phoenix, AZ as well!

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