Rat control in Roodepoort homes means finding what the rats are eating, where they shelter and how they reach the roof, then removing all three. We place lockable bait stations outside, set traps in the ceiling, and give you a list of gaps to close, so the next family of rats can't simply move in.
What brings rats to Roodepoort gardens
Roodepoort is a suburb of families, pets and proper gardens, and that's exactly what rats like. On our inspections the same things come up again and again:
- Dog and cat food left out overnight, or stored in open bags in the garage
- Aviaries, chicken runs and pigeon lofts, where spilled seed and feed lie on the ground
- Compost heaps with kitchen scraps
- Fruit trees dropping fruit that nobody picks up
- Wendy houses, sheds and piles of building rubble that give dry shelter
- Thick creepers on walls and branches touching the roof
Nearby open space adds to it. Florida Lake, storm-water channels and the patches of veld and ridge that run through the area all hold rats, and when winter nights turn cold from about May they look for warmer quarters in the nearest roof.
Roof rat or brown rat: what the signs tell us
The one in the ceiling
Scratching and running overhead at night almost always means roof rats. They're slim, agile climbers with long tails, and they reach the roof along walls, creepers, trees and cables. Look for droppings in the roof space and greasy smears on beams and along the tops of walls.
The one under the paving
Holes under paving, at the base of a boundary wall or beneath the shed point to brown rats. They're heavier, dig rather than climb, and come in at ground level, often through drains, broken air bricks or gaps under the garage door. They're the ones raiding the chicken run.
Still not sure what's in your roof? Our article on how to tell if rats are in your roof walks through the clues.
How we deal with rats in a Roodepoort home
We start in the garden and the roof, because that's where the answers are. Once we know which rat it is and how it's travelling, lockable bait stations go along the outside routes, away from where dogs and children play. Inside the ceiling we use traps rather than loose bait, so nothing ends up in a wall cavity. Then we walk you round the gaps: air bricks, pipe and cable entries, the space under the garage door, gaps under the eaves and any branch that touches the roof. On bigger problems, we return to check the stations and the traps.
Rats and the rest of the household
Rats chew. In Roodepoort roofs we regularly find gnawed electrical cables, damaged geyser insulation and holes chewed through ceiling boards. Outside, they bite through irrigation pipes and pool cleaner hoses for water in the dry months. They also contaminate whatever they walk on, which is why we suggest wiping down pantry shelves and throwing away any food packet with gnaw marks. None of this is a reason to panic, but it is a reason not to leave a rat problem until spring.
If you rent, tell your landlord or agent early. Proofing work on air bricks, eaves and roof sheeting is usually the owner's responsibility, and the treatment won't hold until it's done.
The mistake that keeps rats coming back
Feeding the problem while treating it. We often see a household baiting the roof while the aviary floor is covered in seed and the dog's bowl sits outside all night. As long as the food is there, the property stays attractive and new rats keep arriving. Pick up pet food at night, raise or sweep the aviary floor, and close the compost bin, and the treatment works twice as fast.
A Roodepoort tip
If you keep chickens or birds, set the feeder on a hanging chain or a stand with a smooth metal sleeve, and sweep up spilled feed every evening. It's the single biggest change we see in gardens near the veld.
What rat control costs, and why
For a house, the price comes down to how many stations are needed, whether we work in the roof, the size of the garden and the number of follow-up visits it takes. A few rats in a single-storey ceiling is a straightforward job; a large property with an aviary, outbuildings and a wood pile needs more. If you've seen one rat once and there's no sign in the roof, a couple of snap traps may be enough, and we'll tell you so. Check the guide "from" price on this page, or see our prices for Johannesburg pest control.
More help nearby
Mice are often the smaller second problem, and our page on mouse control in Roodepoort covers them. Homes around the lake have their own Florida pest control page. Further south, we handle rats in Soweto, and our main Johannesburg rat control page covers the whole city. For everything else in the area, see pest control in Roodepoort.
Behind every rat job is Jason van Heerden, the owner and operator, with a quarter of a century in pest control. Combat Pest Control is SAPCA registered and on the Department of Agriculture register under Act 36 of 1947. We aim for service within 24 hours, and rat treatments are guaranteed for three months. Hearing them tonight? Ring 084 200 2700, or send a picture of the droppings on WhatsApp.
Questions we get asked
How much does it cost to get rid of rats in my roof?
For most houses it depends on the number of bait stations, roof work and follow-up visits. A few rats in a single-storey roof is a fairly small job. We quote after seeing the property.
Will rat bait harm my dogs?
Our bait sits inside lockable stations that dogs can't open, placed away from where they play. Inside the roof we use traps, not loose bait.
Do chickens and aviaries attract rats?
Yes, strongly. Spilled feed and seed on the ground is an easy meal. Hanging feeders and sweeping up every evening make a big difference.
Why is there a bad smell in my ceiling?
Usually a rat has died in the roof or a wall cavity, often after eating loose poison. We can help find it, and switching to traps inside prevents it happening again.
How soon will the noise in the roof stop?
Most homes hear activity fall within one to two weeks. Properties with lots of food or cover nearby take longer and need a follow-up visit.
Can rats get in through the toilet or drains?
Brown rats can use broken drains and open pipes. We check drain covers, air bricks and pipe entries during the inspection.
What should I do before you come?
Note where you hear or see activity, leave droppings in place so we can see them, clear the roof hatch and bring pet food inside.