How I Get Rid of Rats in My Attic

Roof Rat

You know that feeling when you’re lying in bed and hear scratching or faint thumping above your head? Yeah… that’s not your imagination. It’s rats in the attic — and once you hear it, you can’t unhear it. I went through the same thing, and it’s more than just annoying; it’s unsettling knowing something’s nesting right above you.

Most people grab a few traps or toss some poison and hope for the best — but if there’s one thing I learned, it’s this: rats are smarter, sneakier, and more destructive than you think. Getting rid of them takes more than a quick fix.

Let’s talk about why rats end up in your attic, what methods actually work, and why calling a professional pest control company like TruPest Solutions is the only real way to make sure they don’t come back.

Why You Get Rats in the First Place

Attics are like five-star hotels for rats: warm, dark, safe, and full of nesting material. Once the weather cools down or food sources outside dry up, rats look for cozy, quiet spaces to start a family — and your attic checks every box.

Here’s what attracts them:

• Easy entry points: Small gaps around vents, rooflines, or eaves give them access.

• Nearby food: Pet food, bird seed, trash cans, or fruit trees in the yard.

• Insulation: Perfect for nesting and staying warm.

• Clutter: Cardboard boxes and stored items create ideal hiding spots.

In Rialto and Fontana, the two most common attic invaders are roof rats and Norway rats. Roof rats are climbers — they enter through trees touching your roof or small vents. Norway rats tend to burrow up from the ground. Both can cause serious damage and health risks if ignored.

What People Try (and Why It Doesn’t Work Long-Term)

When you first realize you have rats, it’s tempting to throw down a few traps or use store-bought repellents. They might catch one or two, but here’s the truth: rats are smart and reproduce fast. If you don’t eliminate their entry points and nests, they’ll just keep coming back.

Common short-term fixes that seem to work but don’t last:

• Peppermint oil or ultrasonic devices: Rats quickly adapt and ignore them.

• Snap traps: Might catch a few, but never the whole colony.

• Poison baits: Dangerous for pets and can leave dead rats in walls or attics (and that smell lingers).

The real problem isn’t the rats you see — it’s the ones you don’t. They can chew through wires, insulation, and even PVC pipes. Plus, their droppings can spread bacteria and diseases.

The Best Way to Get Rid of Rats in the Attic

The only real, lasting solution is professional rodent control and exclusion. At TruPest Solutions, we do more than just trap or bait — we find out how they got in, remove them safely, and seal your home to keep them out for good.

Here’s how our process works:

1. Inspection: We identify entry points, nesting areas, and droppings.

2. Removal: Safe trapping and removal methods to eliminate current activity.

3. Exclusion: We seal holes, vents, and gaps using rodent-proof materials.

4. Sanitation: Cleaning and deodorizing to remove contamination and odors.

5. Prevention: Ongoing service plans to monitor and stop re-infestation.

Our 5-Point Service means your home is protected inside and out — from the attic to the lawn — so rodents don’t stand a chance.

How to Keep Rats from Coming Back

Once your attic is rat-free, keeping it that way is key.

• Trim tree branches touching your roof.

• Store food (including pet food) in sealed containers.

• Keep garbage cans tightly closed.

• Inspect your attic and vents regularly for new openings.

• Stay consistent with recurring pest control to prevent future invasions.

Rats are stubborn — if even one tiny hole is left open, they’ll find it. That’s why ongoing maintenance and prevention are just as important as the initial cleanup.

Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse

If you’re hearing noises in the attic or noticing droppings, gnaw marks, or strange smells, don’t wait — the problem will only grow. A small rat issue can turn into a full-blown infestation in just a few weeks.

Call TruPest Solutions today at 951-334-5288 for professional rat removal and attic rodent control in Rialto, Fontana, and surrounding Southern California areas.

We’ll inspect, remove, and seal your home — so the only thing living in your attic is peace and quiet.