Do Rats Destroy Insulation In An Attic?

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One of the most important things to consider when it comes to maintenance of your attic is that the insulation found there plays a very important role in the healthy and efficient operation of your home. When the insulation is damaged, then far more heat can escape through the roof and the costs of heating the home can go through the roof! Rat infestations in the attic can cause problems for the insulation or wires, so when you do go into the attic, it is important to keep an eye out for the signs of such infestations.



Building Nests In The Attic

One of the main reasons that rats will actually cause damage to insulation is that they view the soft material of the insulation as a good material that they can use to make their nest. The result of this is that they will tear and shred the insulation so that they can then remove the material to build their nest, so one thing to look for when you are examining your attic is signs that the insulation has been shredded or torn.

Contamination Of Insulation

Another of the problems that rats can cause when it comes to insulation is that they will use the material as a latrine, and this is something can be a big problem that can be indicated by stains and small black pellets of feces in the material of the insulation. The real issue caused by this is that it has health implications, as there are diseases that can become airborne in rat feces that can then become a significant problem for those who go into the attic.

Other Problems Caused By Rats In The Attic

While the insulation is one area where the rats can cause problems, this is certainly not the only issue that they can cause in the attic. Rats are also naturally inclined to gnaw, which means that they can damage wiring and the woodwork within the attic itself, while they also tend to expand on the number of holes they can use to get in and out of the attic.

Dealing With A Rat Infestation

If you have identified a rat problem in the attic, you will need to carry out the remediation in two stages. The first step is to trap all of the rats in the attic, and then you can deal with the damage that they have caused. This will involve sealing all of the holes that they have created to prevent other rats from getting in, and then cleaning and decontaminating the attic.

Go back to the Rat Removal page or read my guide for How to get rid of rats.

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