Signs You Have Rats in Your Miami Attic

An aerial view of rows of homes with orange barrel tile roofs west of Miami — Tile roofs as far as you can see, west of Miami. The open tile ends along the eaves are a common way in for roof rats.

Most people know something is wrong before they know what it is. A noise, a smell, the dog staring at the ceiling. This page lists what to listen for, what to look for and what to check before you call.

Sounds

Rats in the attic sound like quick scratching, running and the odd thump, mostly after dark and before sunrise. People often hear it over a bedroom, in the wall near the kitchen or along the ceiling edge by an outside wall. Birds are noisy at dawn and quiet at night, and rats keep the opposite schedule.

Droppings and Rub Marks

UF/IFAS describes roof rat droppings as black, curved and about a quarter to half an inch long. In an attic, look on top of the air handler, along the ducts and on the top plates of the walls. Greasy, dark rub marks show up where rats squeeze past the same edge night after night, like a rafter, a pipe or the rim of an opening.

Insulation, Wires and Ducts

If you can get up there safely, look for:

Tunnels and flat paths through the insulation
Nests of shredded insulation, paper or fabric
Chewed wire jackets and flex duct
Holes in duct wrap or the foam on AC lines

Noises in the ceiling or chewed fruit in the yard? One call puts you through to a licensed provider who works your part of Miami-Dade.

Call (305) 413-4203

Outside Clues

Walk the outside at dusk and look up:

Rats running the fence top, the wires or the roof edge
Hollowed fruit on the tree or underneath it
Gnawing or rub marks at a soffit vent or tile end
Droppings on the patio under the eaves

Before You Go Up There

Miami attics are dangerous in summer. The heat gets extreme by midday, and one missed step goes through the drywall. Go early in the morning, step only on the joists, wear a mask and gloves and bring a good flashlight. If you'd rather not, the provider does it on the first visit. See rats in the attic.

Questions From Callers

Could it be squirrels instead?

It could. Squirrels are active by day and rats at night, so if the noise is mostly at night, rats are the better bet. This line handles rats and mice only.