#1. ROOF RAT REMOVAL ATLANTA INSPECTION
It must be treated as an investigation. Mostly to find animal activity facts and not just guesses. The telltale signs of the activity in different areas will be spotted by your technician. They will call them HOT SPOTS. In the attic, walls, crawlspaces, water heater storage rooms, furnace rooms, beneath sinks, alongside refrigerators and pantries, in basements, and lurking in unfinished areas. Our tech will seek out smells, urine stains, and droppings, and anything that may seem out of place. Things such as trails or tunneling through insulation. Finding evidence that requires Atlanta roof rat removal, Attic Kings will be on the job!
Ask the occupant of the home if they recognize unusual sounds. What’s the activity like now and what’s the history of the activity? Things like, time of day or night, and what type of noises are being heard. Ask them if any droppings have been seen throughout the house, that they might have cleaned up. Then you’d also want to know which locations the sounds are coming from. At this point, after a full inspection of all the HOT SPOTS, then you should have a good understanding of all the work that needs to be done. Which can all be found below. The following info is like being inside the mind of a licensed technician.
TOP WORK REQUIRED
#2. RAT PROOF and SEAL BUILDERS GAP
The gap beneath shingles and above gutters, sometimes called a ventilation gap, construction gap, or builders gap. Install galvanized steel over said gap, connecting in four-foot pieces underneath shingles and over the gap, around the entire gutter system. The shingles will then be laid back overlapping the steel, leaving no trace. This keeps rats out permanently.
#3. SEAL ALL EAVES, VALLEYS, & CORNERS
Install galvanized steel over corners valleys and eave gaps. This prevents entry (or re-entry). These are some of the more vulnerable areas in your home. It is imperative that these be sealed. Some jobs end up with rats re-entering the house weeks after the work has been completed. This is usually due to these areas not being treated or being treated incorrectly, or being wholly missed.
#4. IF NEEDED, SEAL OR SCREEN
Any open roof vents, gable vents, ridge vents, or attic fans using galvanized steel, and weatherproof caulk. Virtually, anything that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, based on the work that is required. Our main goal is to preven the rats from re-entering while still allowing air to flow through all ventilation areas. We then use breathable material in all the necessary areas that need circulation to function properly. Typically, this is hardware cloth cut in strips, then folded over, and then use galvanized flashing in the areas that can be completely sealed. Use a malleable metal cut to fit so that we can make it look as good as possible. Occasionally, we will use some paint, so there is little to no contrast with the home. This helps you to sell your home with ease when the time comes to list it.
BOTTOM WORK REQUIRED
#5. ITEMS TO BE FIXED OR SEALED AROUND GROUND AND FOUNDATION
Seal all gaps, cracks, holes, gas lines, pipes, A/C supply lines, and sewer lines. All foundation vents will be re-screened. Usually, the screen that is installed when your home is built is no good, builder-grade at best. Then reinforce load-bearing foundations where needed with poured concrete. Should the crawl space door be rotted or damaged, we will fully replace it too, with a specific door designed to keep rats out. If step one above is implemented, then you will know what groundwork must be done around the foundation or crawlspace.
#6. GARAGE DOOR
Ensure that the weather stripping is tight and secures itself on the ground and the track is aligned, also one should never leave their garage door open for long periods of time. If you do, you probably already know all kinds of critters can get in! It’s critical that all unfinished areas in the garage be finished so that rats can not get into the attic, basement, or crawlspace via the walls. Rats will usually follow plumbing, electrical, or ductwork to make their way into the walls.
#7. SET UP RAT TRAPS
Once your home is sealed from top to bottom, all work is done, it’s time to set rat traps in the basement, attic, or crawl space. It’s best to use professional traps with a very sensitive setting. You should easily be able to get those at your local pest control or hardware store. Baiting the traps with slim jim, peanut butter, or Tootsie rolls seems to work nicely. Next, you catch the roof rats and empty the traps. Then, set some more. When you are no longer catching rats in the traps, and the noises have stopped, only then is the job done. This process may take up to 30 days.
#8. MAINTENANCE/PREVENTION
You must keep your gutters clean. Remove any debris – tree limbs, leaves, and pine straw off of the roof. Keep these tree limbs trimmed at least ten feet from the house, including all trees that are next to the house. Keep gutters cleaned, to prevent wood rot from occurring. You need to keep all trash cans covered securely with lids. Keep the grass trimmed and bushes shorn down below the gutter line. Keep pet food in sealed or metal containers. Keep trash and junk off of your property. Follow these measures to prevent roof rats!. Only then will you be able to enjoy the benefits of your house being roof rat-free! If not, call us for Atlanta roof rat removal!