How to identify roof rats
- Slender body 6–8 inches, tail longer than the body
- Dark brown to black fur, pointed snout, large ears
- Excellent climbers — found in attics, palm trees, and rooflines
- Droppings ~½ inch with pointed ends
Signs of an infestation
- Nighttime scratching or scurrying in the ceiling
- Droppings in the garage, attic, or behind appliances
- Gnaw marks on weatherstripping, garage door corners, or fruit
- Greasy rub marks along beams and rafters
- Half-eaten avocados, citrus, or pet food
Why roof rats thrive in the SFV
The SFV is roof rat paradise. Mature citrus and avocado trees, dense bougainvillea, ivy-covered block walls, and 1950s-era housing stock with rusted vent screens give roof rats food, cover, and easy entry. Populations spike after fall fruit drop and again in late winter.
The Evictr treatment process
- 1Full structural inspection — roofline, eaves, vents, weep holes, garage seals, utility penetrations
- 2Exclusion: seal every gap larger than a quarter-inch with hardware cloth, copper mesh, and rodent-rated sealant
- 3Strategic snap-trap placement in active runways inside the structure
- 4Exterior tamper-resistant bait stations where appropriate (never interior bait near pets or kids)
- 5Sanitation and landscape recommendations to break the cycle
Prevention tips
- Pick up fallen fruit weekly during citrus and avocado season
- Trim tree limbs 4+ feet back from the roof
- Cut back ivy and bougainvillea touching walls or fences
- Replace torn attic vent screens with ¼-inch hardware cloth
- Seal garage door corners and side-door sweeps
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have roof rats or house mice?
Roof rats nest high — attics, ceilings, rooflines — and leave ½-inch droppings with pointed ends. House mice nest low and leave rice-grain-sized droppings near food sources. Sound location is the easiest tell: ceiling activity is almost always rats; under-cabinet activity is almost always mice.
How long does roof rat removal take?
Most San Fernando Valley homes see activity stop within 7–14 days of trapping once exclusion is complete. The inspection and sealing happen on the first visit; trapping is monitored over 2–3 follow-ups.
Are rodenticides safe around my pets?
We do not place rodenticides inside homes with pets or children. Exterior bait stations are tamper-resistant and locked. Inside, we rely on snap traps and exclusion — the safer and more effective long-term approach.
Will roof rats come back?
Only if the entry points reopen or new ones develop. Our exclusion work is warrantied, and our quarterly maintenance program catches new vulnerabilities (roof damage, landscaping changes, neighbor activity) before they become an infestation.
Roof Rats control across the San Fernando Valley
Evictr provides roof rats treatment to homes and small commercial properties across the SFV, including: