Hearing scratching in your roof at night? It could be rats. Learn the signs, risks, and why acting fast saves you money.
Signs You Have Rats in Your Melbourne Roof
Rats are nocturnal, so the first sign is usually scratching and scurrying sounds in your roof at night. But there are other telltale signs:
- Scratching noises: Heavy thumping and running sounds in the roof void, usually after dark
- Droppings: Dark, capsule-shaped droppings (12-18mm) found in the roof void, garage, shed, or near food sources
- Gnaw marks: Chewed wiring, timber, PVC pipes, and food packaging
- Grease marks: Dark oily rub marks along walls and beams where rats travel the same routes repeatedly
- Pet behaviour: Dogs and cats becoming fixated on the ceiling or specific areas of the house
- Musty smell: A strong ammonia-like odour from accumulated urine, especially in enclosed spaces
The Real Dangers of Rats in Your Home
Rats aren't just unpleasant — they're genuinely dangerous:
- Fire risk: Rats chew electrical wiring, exposing live cables. This is a leading cause of unexplained house fires in Australia
- Water damage: Gnawed PVC pipes cause slow leaks that lead to costly water damage and mould
- Disease: Rats carry leptospirosis, salmonella, and hantavirus. Their droppings contaminate insulation and any surfaces they contact
- Contamination: Rats urinate constantly as they move, contaminating surfaces, stored items, and food preparation areas
Why Rats Love Melbourne Roofs
Roof rats (Rattus rattus, also called Black Rats) are the most common species found in Melbourne roof spaces. They're excellent climbers and access roofs via:
- Overhanging tree branches within 1.5 metres of the roofline
- Climbing up brick walls using mortar joints as footholds
- Drainage pipes and downpipes without guards
- Gaps where roof tiles have shifted or broken
- Openings around eaves, fascia boards, and vents
Professional Rat Control: What to Expect
A professional rat treatment from Pest Eraze includes:
- Thorough inspection of the roof void, subfloor, garage, and external areas
- Entry point identification — we find how they're getting in
- Professional baiting using tamper-proof bait stations with commercial-grade rodenticide
- Snap traps in key areas for immediate knockdown
- Proofing recommendations — detailed advice on sealing entry points and removing attractants
- Follow-up visit to check bait stations and confirm elimination
Cost of Rat Control in Melbourne
Professional rat control in Melbourne costs between $249 and $450. This includes inspection, baiting, trapping, and a follow-up visit. Given that a single rat can cause thousands in electrical or plumbing damage, professional treatment is a smart investment. New customers receive 25% off — call 0416 528 547.
What a Roof Rat Inspection Involves
A technician inspects the roof void and exterior for entry points, droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting material, then combines rat control baiting or trapping with sealing identified entry points — the sealing step being what actually prevents new rats moving in after the current ones are removed.
Health Risks Worth Acting On Quickly
Beyond the fire risk from chewed wiring, rats can spread diseases including salmonella and leptospirosis through droppings and urine, and a small roof population can multiply into a larger infestation within weeks given how quickly rats breed — both good reasons to act at the first sign of scratching rather than waiting.
