Rats seem small and harmless. When you’re staring at them through the glass of the pet store display window, they might even seem (dare we say it) adorable.
But when they move into your home, the damage they cause is anything but small. In addition to their ability to spread disease, rats are notorious for damaging property, notably insulation. They can cause thousands of dollars in damage and perhaps more notably, wreak havoc on your peace of mind.
Here in Columbus, OH, our fluctuating temperatures make attics and wall cavities prime real estate for rodents. Knowing the best way to get rid of rats nesting in insulation is more than a smart move: it’s a necessary one.
If you’ve been dealing with the unmistakable scritch-scratch of rodents in the walls, whether it’s in your home or business, it’s time to act quickly and decisively.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through all the reasons why rats gravitate toward insulation, the damage they cause, and how professional pest control with the help of Green Shield Pest Pros can keep them out for good.
Why Do Rats Nest in Insulation?
Before you can learn the best way to get rid of rats nesting in insulation, you need to understand what’s attracting them there in the first place.
Rats seek two primary things in their nesting sites: warmth and proximity to food. As you might have guessed, the insulation in attics, walls, and crawl spaces provides the perfect cozy hideaway.
Coupled with the neophobic tendencies of rats (they’re terrified of new environments), they’re naturally drawn to rarely-disturbed insulation materials where they feel safe and secure.
Norway rats, also known as brown rats, often target lower spaces like basements, while roof rats gravitate toward attics. Any kind of insulation, regardless of the location, is at risk.
Unfortunately, fixing holes and gaps in insulation isn’t enough to discourage them. Rats prefer areas where nesting materials are abundant, and will happily chew through insulation to create soft bedding, opportunistically shredding paper, fabric, and other materials they find along the way.
And because they breed so quickly, what starts as a few rats can multiply into a sizable colony in no time.
How Rats Destroy Insulation (and More)
Beyond just being freeloading annoyances, rats are actively destructive housemates.
One of the biggest issues with rats nesting in insulation is their incessant chewing. Rats must chew constantly to prevent their teeth from overgrowing, but this chewing isn’t limited to harmless items like pieces of wood.
When they’re in your home, they’ll also chew on wires, pipes, and even plastic. When rats chew on electrical wiring, it’s particularly harmful, as it can increase the risk of fire.
Beyond just structural damage related to the chewing of insulation and other components of your home, rats leave behind droppings, urine, and saliva wherever they live.
These carry diseases like hantavirus, salmonella, and leptospirosis. If you come into contact with contaminated insulation or airborne particles from disturbed droppings, you run the risk of contracting a serious illness.
Left unchecked, a rat infestation can cause extensive damage to your health and home, including your insulation. This can be costly to replace. What’s worse, the longer the infestation persists, the higher the chances they’ll expand their nesting areas, creating additional damage in your walls, attics, and crawl spaces.
What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Rats Nesting in Insulation?
If you’re ready to get rid of rats, we’re here for you. You’ll need more than just traps or store-bought solutions to remove rats and keep them from returning.
1. Identify Entry Points
The first step in rat control? Figuring out how they got inside in the first place. Rats can fit through holes as small as ½ an inch (the size of a quarter). Take some time to inspect your home for gaps in the roofline, cracks in the foundation, or spaces in utility lines.
According to experts at New Mexico State University, sealing up entry points is the most effective long-term prevention strategy you can take in the fight against rats and other rodents.
2. Remove Infested Insulation
When rats nest in insulation, they leave it contaminated (and often render it unusable). Therefore, you’ll need to completely remove and replace any damaged sections.
Just be aware that handling rodent droppings improperly can stir up particles that harm your health, especially if there are dangerous pathogens like Hantavirus present. Wear protective gear and focus on thorough cleaning if you handle this yourself. Even better, leave it to the professionals.
3. Set Traps Strategically
Snap traps remain one of the most effective tools against rats, especially when they’re placed along walls and rat runways. Knowing where to place these traps can be tricky, but professional pest control teams know exactly where rats are most likely to travel and will be able to position them most effectively.
4. Disrupt Their Food Supply
Rats won’t stay in a place where they can’t eat. Keep pet food, birdseed, and trash in secure metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Rats can chew through plastic and even some thin metals, in some cases, so investing in rodent-proof storage is key.
5. Consider Professional Baiting Systems
While traps work well for control when there are just a few rats here and there, you may need a professional-grade baiting system for a heavy infestation. These must be handled carefully to avoid harm to non-target animals and humans.
6. Seal and Prevent Re-Entry
At the end of the day, prevention is the ultimate goal in helping you stay one step ahead of rats. Use metal screens, steel wool, or caulk to seal up gaps and cracks.
Keep vegetation trimmed back from your house, and store potential nesting materials like firewood or compost well away from your home. In the attic, consider adding rodent-deterring barriers or sprays to discourage re-entry.
Don’t Wait for the Damage to Escalate
While DIY measures can help provide temporary relief, a persistent rat problem often requires professional expertise. Pest control experts, like our team at Green Shield Pest Pros, know how to thoroughly inspect and handle widespread infestations.
From identifying every entry point to strategically using advanced tools, we’ll make sure your home is not only rodent-free but protected against future invasions.
Understanding the best way to get rid of rats nesting in insulation doesn’t just stop at one corner of your home. You need to take a more all-encompassing approach.
And remember, the longer you wait, the more extensive the damage (and the cost) becomes. If you’ve noticed signs of a rat infestation, like droppings, scratching sounds, or nests in insulation, then it’s time to ask.
Contact Green Shield Pest Pros today for expert solutions and long-term peace of mind. Your home deserves to be free of rodents, and we want to help you make that dream a reality.
