Rat and mouse articles · Updated
Why rats come back after an exterminator
Rats come back when the way in is still open. The usual causes are a plan that was bait or traps only with no sealing, a missed gap at the roofline, food in the yard, a neighbor's property feeding them and branches over the roof. Sealing every gap is what makes it last.
The attic went quiet for a couple of months, and now the noise is back. It's one of the most frustrating rodent problems, and one of the most common. The good news is that the reason is usually findable, and once it's fixed, it stays fixed.
The plan didn't include sealing
This is the big one. Traps and bait remove the rats that are there. They don't stop the next ones. If the job was bait stations outside and nothing else, the gap that let the first rats in is still open, and new rats find it. Roof rats especially move into a vacant attic quickly when the way in is still there.
Ask what the original job covered. If there's no list of sealed entry points, that's probably the answer. Entry point sealing is the missing piece.
Something in the attic or the garage?
Want a local rodent technician to look at it? Same-day appointments are often available. (972) 325-9652
A gap got missed
Plano two-stories have a lot of roofline: roof returns, gable vents, soffit corners and plumbing stacks. Texas A&M AgriLife training material says a rat can use a half-inch crack. One missed roof return on the back side of the house is enough. So is a vent screen torn by hail after the job was done, or a gap left by a roofer during a replacement.
A follow-up inspection that walks the whole roofline from a ladder, and checks every attic section, usually finds it.
Rats were sealed in, or sealed out too early
If every gap was closed while rats were still living in the attic, they may have chewed a new way out, and now that's the way back in. The usual approach is to trap until activity drops, then close the last openings. If you hear chewing near a spot that was sealed, mention it.
Trees and fences are still a highway
Branches over the roof and a fence running up to the garage give roof rats an easy route to the roofline. Sealing helps, but if they can get up there every night, they'll test every seam. Trim branches back several feet from the roof, and keep vines off the walls.
The yard is still feeding them
Rats stay close to food. Spilled bird seed, fallen pecans, open compost, pet food left out and cracked trash cart lids keep a population living around the house, ready to move in. The trash and yard rules guide has a checklist.
- Rake up seed under feeders every few days
- Pick up fallen fruit and nuts
- Use a closed compost bin with no meat or dairy
- Feed pets inside
- Replace damaged trash carts
The neighbors
On a block where houses share an alley and fences, rats move from yard to yard. A neighbor's woodpile, chicken coop or overgrown back yard can keep feeding them no matter what you do. Talk to your neighbors. If a property's conditions are the problem, the Plano reporting guide explains how to file a Fix It Plano request.
Seasons
Sometimes nothing went wrong; the pressure just went up. The first cold fronts in fall, an ice storm in winter or a wet spring that floods creek burrows all push rodents toward houses. A house that was fine all summer gets tested in November. A late-summer seal check catches worn spots before then.
Construction and land clearing nearby
When a field, a lot or a stretch of creek bank near you gets cleared for new building, the rodents living there move. Houses next to the work often see a sudden jump in activity, even if they were fine before. If you know grading is coming, check your seals and set traps in the garage ahead of time. In fast-building areas around Frisco and Murphy, this happens a lot.
What to tell the provider on a callback
If you call the original company back, be specific. Tell them when the noise started again, where you hear it, and whether you've seen new droppings and where. Ask them to recheck every sealed spot and the whole roofline, every attic section, and the garage. Ask for photos of anything they find. That turns a vague complaint into a fix.
Signs it's a new problem, not the old one
If the noise is in a different part of the attic than before, or the droppings are a different size, you may be dealing with a new gap or a different rodent. Mice in the garage after a roof rat job is a common example. Note what's different and tell the provider. A new problem may need a new plan, not just a return visit.
Making it stick
Ask for a written list of every entry point sealed and the material used. Ask how many follow-up visits are included. Do your part in the yard. For houses on greenbelts or with a history of repeat problems, a prevention plan with a seasonal seal check is worth considering.
Something in the attic or the garage?
Ready to have the gaps found and closed? Call and describe what you're hearing or finding. (972) 325-9652
Common questions
Is it the same rats coming back?
Usually it's new rats using the same gap, or survivors that avoided traps.
Should the original company come back for free?
That depends on what they offered in writing. Check your paperwork and ask.
How do I know a gap was missed?
Fresh droppings and noise in the same part of the attic usually point to a nearby opening. A ladder inspection of that section finds it.
Will bait stations stop them coming back?
Stations can reduce outdoor numbers, but they don't close gaps. Without sealing, new rats keep arriving.
How long should a rodent fix last?
Metal sealing lasts for years. Door seals and sealant wear out sooner, so check them each fall.