How to Get Rid of Rodents in the Attic

How to Get Rid of Rodents in the Attic [Ultimate Guide]

The best way to get rid of rodents in your attic is to seal entry points, remove the pests, clean up, and replace damaged insulation with rodent-resistant materials for long-term prevention. For expert assistance with severe infestations, contact us today for a comprehensive rodent removal solution

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Written by

Dumitru Nicolaescu

Updated:

January 8, 2025

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Identifying Rodent Infestations in the Attic

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Negative Effects Of Rodents In The Attic

Risks to Property

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Health Concerns

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Impact on Property Value

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Rodent Behavior in Attics

Rats and Mice

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Squirrels and Raccoons

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Effective Rodent Removal and Insulation Replacement

Benefits of Borate-Treated Cellulose Insulation

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Importance of Using Rodent-Resistant Insulation

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Step-by-Step Process of Rodent Removal

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Expert Tips on How to Get Rid of Mice From the Attic

Air sealing the attic floor to prevent mice from reaching the attic floor by sealing the penetrations around vent stacks, HVAC, plumbing and electrical penetrations, and framing gaps. While the attic floor may be sealed after attic treatment, the mice will still nest in the walls, basement, and crawl space if the exterior penetrations are not treated.
Removing feces/droppings with a high-powered vacuum while leaving the existing insulation in the attic.
Disinfecting the entire attic to neutralize odors and kill bacteria (similar to cleaning a rug from dog or cat urine).
Providing insulation baffles for ventilation in every joist bay and a vapor barrier from top plate to baffle dam to prevent blown-in insulation from clogging the soffits.
Blowing in premium Class 1 borate-treated cellulose which is rodent resistant.
Insulate air seal hatch cover or pull-down ladder.
Seal exterior penetrations in the building envelope using a local contractor (painter, handyman, or pest control service with exterior air sealing experience). Mice in particular can fit through very small gaps, so minding the gaps in the building envelope is crucial to preventing intrusion.

Understanding Attic Rodent Removal Costs

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Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Costs?

What’s Covered and What’s Not

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When to Consider an Insurance Claim

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Should The Existing Insulation Be Completely Removed?

When to Disinfect and Keep

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Minor contamination: If the existing insulation is damaged by feces and urine but the contamination is not extensive, it can be disinfected. This process is similar to cleaning pet urine on a carpet. Professional-grade disinfectants can neutralize odors and kill harmful bacteria without compromising the insulation's effectiveness.
Superficial disturbance: If the insulation is compressed, disturbed, or generally just moved around due to rodent activity, it can often be salvaged. After disinfection, the existing insulation can remain in the attic, providing a base layer for new insulation to be blown over the top. This approach can be cost-effective while still improving your attic's insulation.
Localized issues: Sometimes, rodent activity is confined to specific areas of the attic. In these cases, you might only need to remove and replace insulation in the affected areas, while disinfecting and keeping the rest intact.

When to Remove and Replace

Rodent-Free Enviroment — [source: fenceall.com]

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Severe contamination: If the insulation is heavily soiled with rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials, it's often best to remove it entirely. The level of contamination may be too high for effective disinfection.
Water damage: If the insulation has been exposed to water due to roof leaks or other issues, it may develop mold. Moldy insulation should always be removed and replaced to prevent health hazards.
Age and wear: Old insulation, especially if it's been compressed or damaged over time, may no longer provide adequate insulation. In this case, replacement with new, more efficient insulation is recommended.
Presence of hazardous materials: If you discover that your old insulation contains asbestos or other hazardous materials, professional removal and replacement is crucial for safety reasons
After persistent infestations: If you've had recurring rodent problems, replacing the insulation as part of a comprehensive pest control strategy can help ensure all traces of the infestation are removed.
Energy efficiency upgrades: When significantly improving your home's energy efficiency, replacing old insulation with newer, high-performance materials like borate-treated cellulose can provide better results.
Fire or smoke damage: Insulation that has been exposed to fire or smoke should be replaced, as it may have lost its insulating properties and could contain harmful residues.

Conclusion

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Pest control

Attic

How to Get Rid of Rodents in the Attic [Ultimate Guide]

Identifying Rodent Infestations in the Attic

Negative Effects Of Rodents In The Attic

Risks to Property

Health Concerns

Impact on Property Value

Rodent Behavior in Attics

Rats and Mice

Squirrels and Raccoons

Effective Rodent Removal and Insulation Replacement

Benefits of Borate-Treated Cellulose Insulation

Importance of Using Rodent-Resistant Insulation

Step-by-Step Process of Rodent Removal

Expert Tips on How to Get Rid of Mice From the Attic

Understanding Attic Rodent Removal Costs

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Costs?

What’s Covered and What’s Not

When to Consider an Insurance Claim

Should The Existing Insulation Be Completely Removed?

When to Disinfect and Keep

When to Remove and Replace

Conclusion

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How to Get Rid of Rodents in the Attic [Ultimate Guide]