I've had a minor problem with roof rats in our attic off/on for a few years. Rat traps and glue pads have worked with eliminating them once they're in, but was curious to hear what some of y'all use to keep them from coming back.

Have read that peppermint oil may work, but probably better deterrent for mice vs rats...Plus, I'd have to respray the outside areas every time it rains, and I'm in the Houston area so...it would be quite often. Do moth balls work? Also thought of putting a fake owl in the attic to see if it would scare them off.

I'm not 100% sure where they're getting in either. I've closed off a few spots that I believe they were using, but the b***ards still find a way in.

Any proven success/suggestions you can share would be appreciated.

Well, my neighbor does have a cat that likes to roam our property. Maybe I can steal her for a few days w/o anyone noticing.


Seriously though, I do think she's helping the cause already.

Have you reached out to a rat/rodent company?

They aren't cheap, but we've talked to a couple. We'll likely go with Toby's wildlife management. Haven't yet just because we're doing a remodel that involves raising the roof in part of the house and relocating vents, etc. So just want them to come out when it's all done.

He showed us all the areas they can be potentially be using to get in and how they chewed through a couple of "repairs" the previous owner's had done (they used Berrett pest control).

Attic Cougar. Just don't tell the wife.

Gunny456 said:

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Attic Cougar. Just don't tell the wife.

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Would definitely bite the head off anything that moves up there. But you'll have to invest in some more insulation to keep the sound down. They can be quite loud while stalking and eating their prey!

Roger that!

Traps will help you catch and kill a few rats. But if you see evidence of a rat in your attic, you don't have a one-two rat problem. Those things multiply like crazy. You likely have a lot more rats than you can snap with traps.

I believe insulation companies can suck out all of the old builder-installed insulation in your attic and blow in some new insulation that is suffocating to critters so that they will either die or move away and onto your neighbor's roofs/ attics. This can be very expensive, but may be necessary so they can find and identify hidden entry points where critters are getting into your house. Also, expensive, but pest control companies should offer an exclusion service in which they install wire mesh on all weep holes, cracks, openings, etc. and install rat-proof covers on exhaust openings, and any nook or cranny they can find around your house and on your roof so they may no longer enter under your roof.

I've dealt with them in our attic, too. *******s have chewed up plenty of Christmas decorations. I have bait stations now that I got from one of the DIY sites. Seems to have done the trick. Also killed 7 (at the same time) in one of those trap door bucket traps. Felt a little bad for the nasty little things but if they come back I'll bust it again.

When we had the infestation I actually stepped off my front porch and heard something rustle in the ground cover around the house and then something scurry up one of the gutter downspouts. So there is another way they get to the roof.

Find out where they are coming in a seal that up. I had to have pest control rebuild barriers in a lot of my hill country roofs.

saw off those down spouts about two feet off the ground

also... try calling an owl to your property every once in a while.. if you're successful, roof rats won't last long scampering around on your roof to get in and out of the cozy confines of your attic

I purchased the bait and holders from DIY pest control. Fastrac Soft Bait + Protecta Evo Ambush Bait Kit

It has worked pretty well. I am amazed how many of the dead little f'ers I found, when I did a bait run for a month. Seems to work pretty well and cheaper than hiring a pro. I also found that you should not over fill the bait int he kits. They will eat it all in a few nights. Not positive how fast it works, but started finding dead ones pretty fast.

But then the owl might get the neighbors chickens!
Can't have that!

sometimes you have to make sacrifices.

losing a bunch of your roof rats and your neighbor losing a chick or two... seems reasonable.

I agree 100%. But neighbor might start shooting propane cannons at him.

Dude! you are on a roll tonight! What are you drinking, I need some of that!

I am not a drinkin man. Just having some light hearted fun.

Not a repellent, but liquid Tom cat was the only thing that finally got this pack rat that kept breaking into deer camp. He ate brick after brick and most he had was a tummy ache. We put down the liquid stuff and he was done for.

This is also an option

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCHuzPksOcp/?igsh=bWZkbHg4cGE5b2ps

My problem is with mice eating all of the peanut butter off the conventional mouse trap without "springing" the trap.

Suggestions? Never had this problem before.

Are you putting the peanut butter on top of the lever or the bottom? If on top, try putting it on the bottom. Or affix a piece of cheese to the tab on top so he has to tug at it.

Better option may be an electronic trap. I've zapped many a rat with one.

Disclaimer to the above - I am in huge battle of perseverance and wit with a rat in my attic right now. Been at war for at least a week and a half. He is extremely trap shy but I have managed to get him (last night finally) to start licking at the peanut butter on the lever on the snap trap and taking the cheese off of it. I have not set the trap yet, but if he continues to get more comfortable at it, I hope to get him. He will absolutely not go into my electronic trap for some reason.

Have you tried the black all-plastic ones? I've never had that problem using those. Can get them at the big box stores or amazon

Both top and bottom. Will try cheese. Trap isn't sensitive enough. Thought about spraying some lube on the lever...

Haven't seen the electronic ones.

Built a DIYer today using a 5 gal bucket and a section of 1/2" pvc pipe across the top (that will spin) with peanut butter smeared on it. (See YouTube). Trick is to get the mice to climb a ramp to get to the PB.

Not familiar with them but will check it out. Thanks

I've seen those bucket ones and even have one of the ones with the flipping top. Never been able to get a rat to go up the ramp though for whatever reason. Have had good success with my electronic trap as long as I am using AC power. Have missed before on batteries so if you get one, I recommend plugging it in if that is at all an option.

I've bought another brand at Lowes but these are the same. They're mean!

https://a.co/d/aQX7mpX

Have traps that if sitting around for a while I put WD-40 on the hinges to loosen them up. It works and the smell doesn't seem to bother them. At least after a few days later.

BoerneGator said:

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My problem is with mice eating all of the peanut butter off the conventional mouse trap without "springing" the trap.

Suggestions? Never had this problem before.

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Fatty string of bacon that is either tied to, or "inside" of where the bait goes. Try to tie it if possible to make it more difficult for them.

It will force them to pull it, or attemp to move it. They will have to commit themselves more and be more likely to spring the trap.

Ag83 said:

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Are you putting the peanut butter on top of the lever or the bottom? If on top, try putting it on the bottom. Or affix a piece of cheese to the tab on top so he has to tug at it.

Better option may be an electronic trap. I've zapped many a rat with one.

Disclaimer to the above - I am in huge battle of perseverance and wit with a rat in my attic right now. Been at war for at least a week and a half. He is extremely trap shy but I have managed to get him (last night finally) to start licking at the peanut butter on the lever on the snap trap and taking the cheese off of it. I have not set the trap yet, but if he continues to get more comfortable at it, I hope to get him. He will absolutely not go into my electronic trap for some reason.

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When u go to set the trap use gloves to avoid getting ur smells on it. Might add some grass around it.

I spent a month fighting one. Never did get him, he either died or moved on. Those big ones are witty *******s.

Also, and this usually makes the oxygen leave the room with older folks, if you have bird feeders, get rid of them.
They are rat and mouse fiestas. Folks really don't want to hear that one, but its true.

Also pet birds are & the food that they scratch/kick out onto the floor bring in vermin as well.

Make sure your dog and cat food are sealed up in either a Rubber maid or metal type can/Tote or whatever. But it needs to be completely sealed up.