Rats in the Roof|Ceiling Noise Traced and Stopped
Scratching in the ceiling at night? We find rats in roof spaces, treat the nest and seal gaps under tiles, eaves and flashing. Call 0435 072 221 for a quote.
- Roof space inspected
- Nest and runways treated
- Eaves, tiles and flashing sealed
- Wiring and insulation checked
Getting rats out of the roof and keeping them out
Scratching and running in the ceiling at night is one of the most common rodent calls in Melbourne, and it is nearly always the black rat, also called the roof rat.
Black rats are agile climbers. They travel along fence tops, power and phone lines, tree branches and creepers, then squeeze under lifted roof tiles, gaps in the flashing, open eaves, unsealed box gutter ends or gaps around roof plumbing. Once inside, the insulation makes a warm, quiet nest.
We go into the roof space where it is safe to do so and look for droppings, nests, runways along the top plates and chewed wiring. That tells us where to place locked stations and traps, and which entry points need closing first.
Treating the roof without fixing the way in only solves the problem until the next rat finds the same gap. We seal the entry points with steel mesh, mortar and metal flashing, cut back the branches and vines that act as ladders, and send you photos of each point.
- Roof void checked where safe to enter
- Electrical cables checked for gnawing
- Climbing routes noted and cut back
Signs of rats in the roof
How to tell rats in the ceiling apart from possums, birds or a house settling at night.
Fast scurrying at night
Light, quick running and scratching, usually through the night rather than only at dusk and dawn.
Droppings on insulation
Capsule shaped droppings along the top plates and on the batts.
Gnawing sounds
A steady scraping or chewing sound in one spot, often timber, plastic or cable.
Gaps at the roofline
Lifted tiles, bent flashing, open eaves or broken vent covers.
Rats on fences and lines
Rats running along the fence top or overhead cables at dusk.
A smell in one room
A musty smell in a room, or a strong rotting smell if a rat has died above the ceiling.
Want it sorted this week?
Call now and we will talk you through it, or get a written price in about a minute.
How we deal with rats in the roof
Five steps, in order, so the roof is cleared and closed behind them.
- 1
Roof inspection
Nests, droppings, runways and damage found in the roof space.
- 2
Treat the roof
Locked stations and traps placed on runways and near the nest.
- 3
Seal the roofline
Tiles, flashing, eaves and pipe gaps closed with rodent proof materials.
- 4
Cut off climbing routes
Advice on branches, vines and cables that lead onto the roof.
- 5
Follow up and report
Activity checked and photos of every sealed point sent to you.
Why rats in the ceiling should not be left
Rats gnaw constantly to keep their teeth worn down, and the plastic coating on electrical cables in the roof is an easy target. Exposed wiring in a dry roof space full of nesting material is a real fire risk, so we always check the cables we can see.
Urine and droppings soak into insulation, which then loses its value and starts to smell. In bad cases the batts need to be removed and replaced.
A roof that has had rats in it smells of rats, and that smell draws more of them. The longer a colony stays, the more work the clean up and sealing take.
If you hear rats tonight, keep the manhole closed, store food in sealed containers and avoid putting loose bait in the roof yourself, because a rat that dies inside a wall cavity can be hard to reach.
Tonight
- Keep the manhole closed
- No loose bait in the roof
- Note the times and the room
- Store food sealed
- Call us for a plan
Cost to remove rats from the roof
Starting prices for a standard single storey home with a safe roof space. Your exact price is confirmed in writing first.
Roof treatment
from$199Roof space checked and treated
- Roof space inspection
- Locked stations and traps
- Cables and insulation checked
- Climbing route advice
Treatment and roof sealing
from$349Rats out and the roofline closed
- Everything in treatment
- Tiles, flashing and eaves sealed
- Follow up check
- Photo report
- 6 month written warranty
Full rodent proofing
from$549Roof, walls and sub floor
- Every entry point closed
- Pipes, vents and weep holes
- Photo record per point
- 6 month written warranty
All prices include GST. Two storey homes, steep, slate and steel roofs are quoted in writing after we see the roof.
Rats in the Roof questions
Talk to us directly. We will tell you honestly what the job needs and roughly what it costs.
Call 0435 072 221How do I know if it is rats or a possum in the roof?
Rats are light and fast and you hear scurrying through the night. Possums are heavy and you hear thumping, mostly at dusk and dawn. Rat droppings are much smaller than possum droppings.
How do rats get into the roof?
Mostly by climbing fences, trees, vines and cables, then squeezing under lifted tiles, through gaps in the flashing, open eaves or gaps around roof plumbing.
How long does it take to get rid of rats in the ceiling?
Most roofs go quiet within one to two weeks. Sealing the roofline stops new rats taking their place.
Can rats in the roof chew electrical wires?
Yes. Rats gnaw cable insulation, which can expose wires. We check the cables we can see and tell you if an electrician should look at anything.
Do I need to replace the insulation?
Only if it is heavily soiled with urine and droppings. We tell you honestly after the inspection.
Can you do two storey homes?
Yes. Two storey homes and steep or steel roofs are quoted in writing after we see them, because access takes longer.
Should I put bait in the roof myself?
We advise against it. A rat that eats loose bait can die inside a wall cavity where it is hard to reach, and loose bait is a risk to pets.
Ready to get rid of the rodents?
Treatment, gaps sealed and a 6 month written warranty on sealed points.