Rats in Your Walls or Ceiling? We Find Them and Stop Them.
Los Angeles has one of the highest urban rat populations in the country. Roof rats are especially common in dense residential areas. We eliminate the infestation and seal every entry point so they cannot return.
Licensed · Insured · LA-Based
Signs You Have a Problem
- Scratching, gnawing, or running sounds in walls, attic spaces, or ceiling voids — most active after midnight when rat activity peaks
- Dark, capsule-shaped droppings (about 1/2 inch for roof rats, 3/4 inch for Norway rats) in kitchen cabinets, along walls, in garages, or in attic insulation
- Grease smears and dark rub marks along baseboards, pipes, and structural beams — rats follow the same routes repeatedly and their fur leaves oily trails on surfaces
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wood structural members, electrical wiring insulation, and PVC plumbing pipes
- Nesting materials — shredded insulation, paper, fabric, or plant material — in attic corners, wall voids, or in rarely-opened cabinet spaces
- Damaged or chewed fruit on trees in your yard, or half-eaten citrus on the ground beneath trees — roof rats are notorious for raiding fruit trees across LA neighborhoods
- Pets acting fixated on specific wall sections, cabinets, or corners — dogs and cats often detect rodent activity before their owners do
- Visible burrow holes along fence lines, near the base of walls, or in garden areas (Norway rat indicator)
Our Treatment Process
- 1
Full Property Inspection
We inspect the exterior and interior of the structure to determine rodent species, entry points, harborage areas, and the scale of activity. We check the roofline, eave gaps, foundation vents, utility penetrations, garage doors, and yard conditions. Active runways, droppings, rub marks, and nesting sites all tell us exactly what we are dealing with.
- 2
Entry Point Identification and Documentation
Rodents enter structures through gaps as small as 1/4 inch (mice) or 1/2 inch (rats). We identify every potential entry point on the exterior — roof-to-fascia gaps, broken vent screens, pipe sleeve gaps, missing weep screed, open crawl space vents, garage door weatherstripping gaps, and utility line penetrations. We photograph and document each one.
- 3
Trapping and Population Reduction
We place snap traps at documented activity points inside the structure — along walls, in the attic, and in any identified interior harborage areas. We use bait stations on the exterior in tamper-resistant boxes positioned where rodent activity has been confirmed. We check and service traps on a schedule appropriate to the infestation size.
- 4
Exclusion (Sealing Entry Points)
Once trapping has reduced the active population, we seal identified entry points using durable materials — hardware cloth, copper mesh, concrete patching, and sheet metal flashing depending on the gap type and location. Exclusion is the permanent solution. Trapping alone without sealing entries only temporarily reduces population; new rats from outside will re-enter within weeks.
- 5
Sanitation Recommendations
We identify and communicate the conditions on the property that attracted and sustained the rodent population — unsecured food sources, clutter, compost piles, fruit trees, dense vegetation against the structure, and accessible water sources. Eliminating attractants is essential for long-term success.
How to Prepare for Treatment
- Do not handle rodent droppings, nesting material, or deceased rodents without heavy rubber gloves and a properly fitted N95 respirator — hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella are genuine risks from rodent waste
- If you discover a rodent nest or significant droppings in a confined space, do not vacuum — vacuuming aerosolizes particles and increases disease exposure risk. Dampen the area with a bleach/water solution and remove with gloves
- Secure all food in hard-sided airtight containers before our visit — uncovered food sources attract rodents back into treated areas even after exclusion
- Move stored items away from walls in garages, attics, and storage areas to give technicians access to walls and floor perimeters
- Trim any branches that overhang or touch the roofline — roof rats (the dominant species in LA) are exceptional climbers that use trees as highway systems onto your roof
After Treatment: What to Expect
- Check snap traps daily for the first week and report any catches to us — high catch rates after treatment indicate either more population than estimated or a gap in our exclusion work that needs attention
- Do not seal bait station access or move exterior stations without contacting us — stations need to remain accessible for servicing and population monitoring
- Inspect the exterior of the structure quarterly for new gaps, especially after rains or seismic events that can shift foundation materials and create new entry points
- Cut back any vegetation touching the building exterior — shrubs, vines, and tree branches that contact the structure are the most common way roof rats re-establish access to a sealed building
- If you hear renewed nighttime activity in walls or ceilings within 60 days of our exclusion work, contact us immediately — our exclusion work is warranted and we will reinspect at no charge
Rat & Rodent Control — Frequently Asked Questions
The roof rat (Rattus rattus) is by far the most common rodent pest in Los Angeles residential neighborhoods. Roof rats are agile climbers that nest in attic spaces, palm trees, and dense shrubs, and travel along power lines, fences, and tree branches to access rooftops. Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are less common but present, particularly in areas near restaurants, commercial dumpsters, or active construction. House mice are common in all areas, particularly in kitchen and pantry spaces.
Trapping reduces the population inside your structure but does not stop new rats from entering. If there are open entry points in your roofline, eaves, foundation vents, or utility penetrations, new rats will replace trapped ones within days to weeks. Permanent control requires exclusion — physically sealing every gap 1/2 inch or larger. This is why our process always combines trapping with documented entry point sealing.
We use tamper-resistant bait stations that require a key or tool to open, preventing access by children and most pets. Stations are placed against exterior walls in locations not accessible to non-target animals. We discuss station placement with you before installation. If you have curious dogs, cats, or small children with access to the exterior, we can adjust placement strategy or use trap-only approaches in those specific areas.
A typical residential rat infestation requires 2–4 weeks from initial treatment to confirmed resolution. The first week is heavy trapping to reduce the active population. Exclusion sealing typically happens after initial population reduction. A follow-up inspection at the 2–3 week mark confirms exclusion effectiveness and addresses any overlooked entry points. Active infestations in attics with nesting may take longer if attic remediation (removing contaminated insulation) is part of the scope.
If rats have been nesting in attic insulation, the insulation will be contaminated with droppings, urine, and nesting debris. Contaminated insulation loses R-value, poses ongoing health risks from airborne particles, and can continue to attract rodents through scent marking. We recommend attic cleanout and insulation replacement for any attic with evidence of active nesting. We can assess this during our inspection and discuss the scope and cost.
Need Rat & Rodent Control in Los Angeles?
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