If you’ve got a rat infestation on your hands, you’re probably wondering how they got in your loft in the first place – and, most importantly, how you can stop it from happening again.
When it comes to getting rid of rats in your home, the most crucial step is figuring out what’s attracting them. From there, you can work on the most appropriate solution, whether that means removing a food source or blocking an entry point.
Below, two pest control experts reveal the most common ways rats get into lofts, when they’re most active, and whether they can find their way into the rest of your home.
Article continues belowHow do rats get into the loft?
If you have any structural defects in your roof or loft, this is your sign to repair them, as they could be serving as easy entry points for rodents like rats.
Daniel Steward, managing director at Shield Pest Control, says that rats are “agile climbers” and can enter your loft by climbing up drainpipes, brickwork, cables, or nearby trees, and then getting in through small gaps or defects in the roofline.
Some of the most common entry points include:
- Roof tiles
- Damaged soffits
- Damaged fascia boards
- Broken vents
- Holes around pipework
- Holes around utility cables
"I have observed rodents using the exterior walls of a property to climb up to the roofline prior to locating an access route. Even a hole as small as 2cm can allow a rat to enter the property," adds Tony King, founder of The Pied Piper.
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These stainless steel sheets can be cut to size and will keep rodents out of your loft.
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Tony King is the owner and manager of The Pied Piper, a leading pest control service that has been in operation for more than 25 years.
With 24 years of experience in the pest control industry, Daniel has developed a deep understanding of the various diagnostic methods and techniques used to eliminate pests from homes and businesses.
Do rats leave the loft during the day?
While rats are nocturnal (meaning they are most active at night), Daniel Steward says they may come out during the day if food sources are scarce, the infestation is large and competition is high, or if they feel undisturbed within the property.
Similar to mice, you’re likely to hear scratching, gnawing, and scurrying noises in the evening and overnight if rats are living in your loft, as this is when they are most active and the house is quiet.
"I am normally unable to observe rats actively roaming within the loft during daylight hours, unless the level of infestation has reached epidemic proportions or food and/or water are in short supply," adds Tony King.
"During the day, most rats will hide in a relatively insulated part of the loft until they become active again in the evening, when the home is quieter. At this time, they seek food and water to survive."
Can rats get into a house from a loft?
Yes, a rat can “easily transition” from your loft to another part of your home, confirms Tony King, but this will depend on which passageways are available to them.
"Rats generally use existing wall cavities, cracks or gaps surrounding pipework, and voids created behind ceilings to transfer from one floor to another," he explains. "If the rats have an established presence in the loft and there are no barriers preventing them from doing so, then it is possible that the rats can establish themselves on multiple floors within the house."
In fact, Tony says it’s common for homeowners to first spot rats in their kitchen or bathroom, even though it’s likely that these pests were first in the loft.
The idea of rats nesting in your loft isn’t a pretty picture, but by blocking common entryways and keeping an eye on the integrity of your roofline, it is definitely possible to keep them out.
If you’re looking for more expert advice on this topic, our guides on how to stop pests in insulation and how to get rid of squirrels in your attic are a good place to continue.
