When you hear scratching in the attic, it’s natural to assume it could be a squirrel. But while a squirrel in your attic can be a pain, it could be worse; Roof Rats are far more destructive, harder to control, and a much bigger threat to your home. Across Georgia, roof rats are a serious concern for homeowners. Atlanta’s status as the #6 city in the world for rodent population highlights just how serious the problem is in our state. Here’s why roof rats are worse than squirrels—and why you don’t want them settling into your attic.
Roof Rats Are Built for Invasion
Roof rats, also known as black or ship rats, are slimmer than Norway rats, measuring 5–7 inches long with a tail that can double their body length. Dark brown to black in color, they’re great climbers, preferring attics, rafters, and even spaces above drop ceilings for nesting. Unlike squirrels, roof rats can squeeze through a gap no bigger than a quarter, flattening their skeletons to access areas of your home. Once inside, they don’t just nest—they contaminate insulation with urine and droppings, creating trails for other rats to follow.
The Damage Adds Up Quickly
Both squirrels and roof rats chew, but rats are far more dangerous. Rodent chewing on wires is linked to 30% of house fires nationwide, and that’s just one of many risks. They contaminate insulation, leave droppings, and gnaw on wood and plastic. Even worse, female roof rats can produce up to 1,250 offspring per year, meaning a small problem can become a massive infestation in very little time. Compared to squirrels, the damage and health risks from roof rats spread much faster.
A Hidden Health Threat: Disease Transmission
The damage caused by roof rats goes beyond your home—they can also impact your health. Roof rats are known carriers of several dangerous diseases, including Hantavirus, which can be contracted through their droppings and urine. Their waste and nesting materials can contaminate insulation, food sources, and even the air you breathe. Because roof rats are nocturnal and often move through hidden spaces like attics and crawlspaces, homeowners may be exposed without realizing it.
Some of the most concerning diseases linked to roof rats include:
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): A serious, sometimes fatal respiratory illness.
- Salmonella: A foodborne illness spread when rats contaminate surfaces or food supplies.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection transmitted through rat urine.
- Rat-Bite Fever: Can spread through bites or contact with contaminated food or surfaces.
Squirrels may be noisy pests, but roof rats bring a much higher risk of serious disease into Georgia homes.
Smarter, Social, and Harder to Eliminate
Roof rats are nocturnal, highly intelligent, and live in larger social units than squirrels. Their smarts and complex social structures make them harder to trap, harder to bait, and harder to eliminate once they’ve moved in. Squirrels can damage your attic, but roof rats present a much higher long-term risk to homes across Georgia.
How SMART Technology Can Prevent Roof Rats
Traditional rodent control often relies on traps, baits, and inspections, which can take time to reveal the full scope of an infestation. But with roof rats, time is not on your side. That’s why Peachtree Pest Control offers Anticimex SMART technology, a cutting-edge, digital rodent control solution that’s revolutionizing how Georgia homeowners protect their properties.
SMART technology uses advanced sensors and continuous monitoring to detect rodent activity 24/7. When roof rats are on the move—even in hidden areas you’d never think to check—the system immediately records and communicates that activity. Instead of waiting for visible signs of damage or droppings, Peachtree Pest Control receives instant alerts, allowing our technicians to respond quickly and stop infestations before they spiral out of control.
Why SMART Is the Better Solution for Roof Rats
Roof rats are stealthy, fast-breeding, and difficult to control with traditional methods. But SMART gives you three huge advantages:
- Early Detection: You’ll know there’s a problem before damage becomes severe.
- Continuous Protection: Monitoring never sleeps, keeping your home safe around the clock.
- Data-Driven Control: Instead of guessing where rodents are nesting, SMART shows us exactly where the activity is happening so treatments are precise and effective.
This proactive approach makes SMART the hero solution against roof rats—something that squirrels simply don’t require, but Georgia homeowners battling roof rats desperately need.
Best of all, SMART technology is included in every Peachtree Home Protection Plan, giving you advanced rodent protection as part of your year-round pest control coverage.
Protect Your Georgia Home with SMART Rodent Control
From Atlanta to Savannah, Augusta to Macon, Georgia homeowners need to be on alert for roof rats. If you hear scratching in your attic, don’t assume it’s just squirrels. Roof rats are a serious problem across the state, and the longer they stay, the more costly the damage becomes.
With Anticimex SMART technology powered by Peachtree Pest Control, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home is being monitored and protected 24/7 from the dangers of roof rats.
Contact Peachtree Pest Control today to schedule a SMART inspection and put the most advanced rodent protection system in Georgia to work for your home