Signs of rats in the loft
- Scratching, scurrying or thumping noises at night
- Droppings on loft boards, insulation and joists
- Tunnels and flattened areas in insulation
- Gnawed cables, pipes, boxes and roof timbers
- A musty, ammonia smell when you open the hatch
Rats, mice or squirrels?
Mice make lighter, quicker sounds and leave much smaller droppings. Squirrels are active in the daytime, especially early morning, and are loud. Rats are heavier and mostly active at night. Our guide to rats or mice and squirrels in the loft can help.
How rats get into lofts
Rats are excellent climbers. In South London terraces and semis they commonly get in by:
- Climbing inside cavity walls from gaps at ground level or under floors
- Using broken soil pipes and redundant drain connections that open into wall voids
- Climbing ivy, drainpipes or trees onto the roof and entering gaps at the eaves
- Travelling through shared roof spaces in terraces from neighbouring houses
Why it matters
Rats gnaw electrical cables, which is a recognised fire risk. They also soil insulation, damage pipes and water tanks and can carry disease. A loft infestation will not go away on its own.
What we do
- Inspect the loft and the outside of the house to find how they are getting in
- Place tamper-resistant bait stations or traps along their runs
- Return to check activity and remove dead rodents where accessible
- Proof the entry points, including drains if they are the source
What you can do now
- Do not put loose poison in the loft; rats may die in inaccessible places
- Keep food out of the loft and clear stored items you no longer need
- Cut back ivy and branches touching the roof
Questions and answers
Will rats in the loft leave on their own?
Rarely. A loft gives them warmth and shelter. Treatment and proofing are needed.
Can rats get into the house from the loft?
Yes. They can move down wall cavities and into ceilings, kitchens and under floors.
Do I need to replace insulation?
If it is heavily soiled, replacing it is often the best option once the rats are gone. We will advise after treatment.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.