Roof Rat Control In Hampton Roads

Hearing scratching in your attic or seeing droppings in your home can feel frustrating and even unsettling. Roof rats are a common problem for homeowners in Hampton Roads, and dealing with them is often more complicated than it seems. At Getem Services, we understand how stressful sharing your space with these destructive pests can be. That’s why we’re here to help with solutions to eliminate roof rats and keep them from returning.

What are roof rats, and why are they common in Hampton Roads?

Roof rats are sleek, agile rodents smaller and slimmer than Norway rats but larger than mice. These black or dark brown pests thrive in coastal areas like Hampton Roads. Here are a few reasons why:

Our warm, humid climate provides ideal conditions for their year-round activity and reproduction.
Coastal cities also offer plenty of food sources, from fruit trees and gardens to trash and pet food.
Ports and shipping routes common in coastal areas often introduce or transport these rats, allowing their populations to grow.

With easy access to homes, attics, and other structures for shelter, Hampton Roads provides everything roof rats need to thrive.

How do roof rats get onto roofs?

Roof rats are expert climbers. They can scale trees, pipes, rough exterior walls, and even downspouts to reach your roof. Overhanging tree branches, utility wires, or damaged vents give them easy access to rooflines and entry points. Their nocturnal nature makes them difficult to spot, but they leave behind evidence, including gnawed materials and greasy smudges from their fur.

How do roof rats enter homes?

Once on your roof, these rats will take advantage of any weak spot to enter your home. Common entry points include:

Chewing through shingles or soffits: Damaged or rotting wood is an easy target.
Gaps around roof penetrations: Their teeth and claws can widen small holes near vents, chimneys, or roofline connections.
Damaged vent covers or pipes: Roof rats will exploit any vulnerability to gain entry.

Water damage can make areas of your roof even more susceptible to their chewing and clawing.

How to spot roof rat activity in your home

Since roof rats are nocturnal, you might not see them moving around your home, but there are telltale signs of their presence:

Rat droppings: Small, black or dark brown, cylindrical-shaped droppings found near walls, attics, or around food sources.
Gnaw marks: Damage caused by rats chewing on wood, plastic, wiring, and other materials to file down their ever-growing teeth.
Rat nests: Shredded materials like paper, insulation, or cloth piled in secluded areas.
Sounds: Scratching, squeaking, and other noises in walls, ceilings, or attics, especially at night.
Rub marks: Greasy, dark streaks left behind as rats repeatedly travel along walls, floors, and other surfaces. These marks occur because rats have oily fur that picks up dirt and debris. When they brush against surfaces, the oils and grime transfer onto the material.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to take action before the problem worsens.

How to prevent roof rats from invading your home

Keeping roof rats out requires proactive maintenance and preventive measures, such as:

Sealing entry points: Inspect and repair gaps or cracks in your roofline, soffits, and vents.
Trimming trees and shrubs: Keep branches at least six feet away from your roof to prevent climbing access.
Protecting food sources: Secure trash bins, clean up fallen fruit, and avoid leaving pet food outside.
Fixing water leaks and moisture issues: Eliminate moisture sources, like a damp crawl space, that can attract rats to your home.

Addressing these vulnerabilities can significantly reduce your chances of dealing with roof rats.

Why professional rodent control is the best solution

Roof rats are persistent, elusive, and capable of multiplying quickly. Attempting to handle an infestation on your own can lead to frustration and incomplete results. That’s where Getem Services comes in. Our trained pest control specialists are well-versed in identifying and eliminating roof rat infestations while taking steps to prevent future problems.

Our rodent control services are available in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and throughout the Hampton Roads region, and start with a thorough rodent inspection. Based on our evaluation, we’ll develop and implement a rodent control plan that may include:

Setting interior rodent traps in areas such as the attic and crawl space
Installing exterior bait stations around the perimeter of the house
Providing rodent exclusion services to seal potential entry points
Multiple follow-up visits, as needed, to ensure the complete eradication of roof rats

Our industry-leading methods ensure the elimination of roof rats (and other rodents)!

In addition to our stand-alone rodent control, Getem Services offers home pest control services that include year-round protection against mice, rats, and other house-infesting pests. When you sign up for this plan, we’ll service your house every quarter. Here’s what you can expect:

An exterior pest treatment
Interior pest treatment if you’ve noticed a pest problem inside
Exterior spider web and wasp nest removal (up to one story)
Rodent bait station maintenance, if applicable

Whether you’ve already spotted signs of roof rats or want to be proactive, we’re here to help. Contact Getem Services today, and let us provide the expert care and solutions you need to protect your home from roof rats and other troublesome pests!