Rats in the attic in Redondo Beach: signs, what licensed companies do, and how to check a license

Which rat is usually in the attic?

California has two common introduced rats, the roof rat and the Norway rat. UC IPM describes them this way:

• Roof rats are sleek, agile climbers. The tail is longer than the head and body combined. They nest up high, in trees, shrubs, ivy and other dense vegetation, and indoors in attics, wall voids, ceiling voids and cabinets. UC IPM notes that roof rats prefer warm climates and coastal ecosystems.
• Norway rats are larger and stockier. They burrow along foundations and under woodpiles, and indoors they usually stay in basements or on the ground floor.

Because the two species behave differently, UC IPM says it matters which one is present before choosing a control approach. In a coastal city like Redondo Beach, droppings and noise in the attic fit the roof rat's habits. UC IPM's Pest Notes on rats describe roof rats as active year-round. Fall is a good time to seal entry points before winter rains. The homeowner walk-around for that sealing is in the fall rodent-proofing checklist. A licensed inspector is the one who confirms the species.

Signs of rats in an attic

UC IPM and LA County Public Health list these signs:

• Noises from the attic or ceiling, especially at night. UC IPM notes rats are mostly active at night. LA County describes gnawing, climbing between walls, and squeaking.
• Droppings along travel paths, near nests and food caches.
• Gnaw marks on wood, wiring, pipes or stored items. UC IPM notes rat tooth marks are larger than a mouse's, about 1/6 inch versus 1/12 inch.
• Rub (smudge) marks, which are dark, greasy streaks on beams, rafters and pipes where fur rubs along a regular route.
• Nests of shredded insulation, paper or fabric. You may also find caches of nuts, pet food, snail shells or hollowed-out fruit rinds.
• Rats on utility lines or fence tops at dusk.
• Hollowed-out citrus hanging on the tree. UC IPM describes roof rats eating oranges through a small hole and leaving the rind.
• Pets probing a wall or ceiling, and the smell of urine in a closed space.

Why it matters: UC IPM warns that roof rats in an attic can chew wiring and even gas lines, which can create fire hazards. Rats can also carry diseases including typhus, leptospirosis and rat-bite fever.

What licensed companies typically do

This is a general description of the approach that UC IPM and LA County Public Health publish. It is not a description of any specific company's service. South Bay Pest Pros does not perform any of these steps. The licensed company you hire decides the actual scope, method, price and any warranty, in writing.

1. Inspection. A licensed inspector looks for activity and entry points. For roof rats that means looking above ground level too: roof vents, eaves, where roof lines meet, and where the chimney meets the roof. UC IPM notes this usually takes longer for roof rats than for Norway rats because they climb.
2. Exclusion ("building them out"). UC IPM calls sealing entry points "the most successful and longest-lasting strategy." The guidance is to seal openings larger than 1/4 inch with rodent-proof materials such as galvanized hardware cloth, sheet metal or mortar, not chicken wire, foam or caulk alone. LA County notes a young rat can enter through a 1/2-inch gap.
3. Trapping. UC IPM calls snap traps the safest, most effective and most economical way to trap rats. For roof rats, traps go in elevated spots such as beams, ledges and pipes. LA County Public Health advises against poison bait inside the home, because a rat can die where nobody can reach it.
4. Sanitation and cleanup. Removing nests and droppings, and fixing the outdoor conditions that feed and shelter rats. UC IPM notes roof rats have strong "nest site affinity" and return if nest sites are not removed. The CDC's cleanup guidance: open doors and windows for 30 minutes before cleaning and leave the area while it airs out; wear rubber or plastic gloves; don't sweep or vacuum droppings, urine or nesting material; spray them with a disinfectant or a fresh bleach solution (1½ cups of household bleach per gallon of water, about 1 part bleach to 9 parts water) until very wet, let it soak 5 minutes (or as the product label says), wipe up with paper towels, and throw them out in covered trash. Dead rodents and nests get the same spray and soak, then go in a double bag.
5. Follow-up. LA County's guide says to continue control efforts until no new signs of rodents appear. UC IPM notes rats often avoid new traps for days or weeks.

About rodent poison in California: UC IPM reports that California now prohibits most uses of first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, with limited exemptions. Ask any company which products it would use, if any, and get the answer in writing.

Things you can do around the house now

These are the published prevention steps from LA County Public Health and UC IPM:

• Trim tree limbs back from the roof, attic vents, eaves and utility lines. LA County's guide says a minimum of 6 feet.
• Thin ivy and dense shrubs, and remove dead palm fronds.
• Pick up fallen fruit and nuts, and don't leave pet food out overnight.
• Store garbage, pet food and birdseed in containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Elevate stored items in the garage, at least 18 inches off the ground per LA County.

Renting? LA County Public Health says renters in Los Angeles County can report rodent problems at (888) 700-9995 or file a complaint online. An inspector may be able to determine whether the property owner must address it.

How to check a California pest control license

In California it is unlawful to advertise or engage in structural pest control without a license from the Structural Pest Control Board (Business and Professions Code §8550). Rodents count as "household pests" under §8505. The Board's own guidance says any company that controls rats or mice must be registered with the SPCB. The pesticide-free wildlife-removal exemption in §8555(g) covers animals like bats, raccoons and squirrels (rats and mice are not exempt).

1. Ask the company for its exact business name and SPCB company registration number.
2. Go to pestboard.ca.gov/license.shtml, which links to the DCA License Search.
3. In "Board/Bureau," choose Structural Pest Control Board and search by name or number.
4. Open the record. Confirm the name matches your quote, the status is current, the expiration date hasn't passed, and the registration covers Branch 2 (general household pests, which includes rodents).
5. No results? The Board notes that cancelled licenses don't appear in search. Ask for the exact registered name and number, or call the Board at 916-561-8704.

For a longer walkthrough, see How to verify a California pest control license.

How the free match works

South Bay Pest Pros is a free referral service. When a licensed, independent company in our network serves your ZIP, we introduce you to that one company. We don't send your request to a list or sell your information. We are still adding companies for Redondo Beach. If we don't have one for your ZIP, we'll tell you so rather than pass your request along. Either way, you can check any company yourself on the state's license search above. The match is free, and companies in our network pay us a monthly fee. We do not inspect, treat, set prices or guarantee results.

Sources

Species, signs, exclusion, trapping and the year-round activity of roof rats: UC IPM Pest Notes: Rats.

Signs, sealing, snap traps indoors, the renter line, and the 6-foot trim: LA County Public Health, Rats/Mice and A Practical Guide to Rodent Control.

Cleanup after droppings, urine and nests: CDC, How to Clean Up After Rodents.

License lookup: Structural Pest Control Board, which links to DCA License Search.