Winter in South Africa brings more than crisp mornings and cosy evenings by the heater. As night-time temperatures drop, rats begin searching for dry, warm hide-aways and the cavities beneath your roof tiles sit high on their wish list. Once a colony settles above your ceiling it is not only the scurrying that robs you of sleep, their droppings pose a health hazard and their habit of gnawing electrical cables creates a genuine fire risk. Acting before the first cold front blows in is the smartest way to keep your loft quiet and your family safe.
Why Winter Is a Rat’s Favourite Season
Rats remain active all year, yet cold weather drives them indoors faster than any other factor. Lower temperatures sap their body heat, gardens yield less food, and predators become scarcer once the rodents reach the sanctuary of a roof space. An attic generally hovers around 18 °C, providing ideal nesting conditions that let rats reproduce throughout the colder months. The sooner you remove that opportunity, the less likely you are to share your home with a thriving rat community.
Telltale Signs That Rats Are Already in Your Roof
- Scratching or soft thudding overhead during the night, especially above bedrooms
- Dark spindle-shaped droppings scattered on insulation or beams
- Greasy rub marks where fur brushes against pipes, rafters, or joists
- Gnaw marks on timber, electrical wiring, or plastic piping
A sharp ammonia smell lingering in attic corners
Spot one of these indicators and arrange an inspection promptly. See two or more and you are probably hosting an established rat family.
Practical Steps to Keep Rats Out
- Seal every opening
Inspect roofing sheets, fascia joins, and pipe penetrations with care. Fill hairline gaps under ten millimetres with stainless-steel wool and exterior-grade silicone. Use galvanised mesh and mortar for larger holes; expanding foam on its own is not enough. - Prune overhanging branches and climbing plants
A branch brushing the gutter acts as a gangplank for rodents. Keep vegetation at least one metre clear of the eaves and remove ivy or vines that climb external walls. - Replace sagging insulation
Compressed glass-fibre batts form perfect tunnels. Remove them, vacuum the space, then install mineral-fibre matting that rats find harder to chew. Compact LED lamps left on intermittently can also discourage night-time visitors. - Store food and pet feed in sealed containers
Decant bird seed and dog biscuits into lidded, heavy-duty plastic drums raised on shelving. A rat can smell an open bag of feed from outside the house, so cutting that aroma is essential. - Keep the roof space clutter-free
Old boxes, suitcases, and timber off-cuts provide shelter and nesting material. A tidy loft makes problems easier to spot and removes much of the attraction. - Clean and protect gutters
Blocked gutters cause fascia boards to rot, leaving soft timber that rats chew through with ease. Flush gutters regularly, repair leaks, and fit fine-mesh guards to exclude both leaves and rodents. - Position bait stations outdoors and indoors
Lockable stations placed along outside walls create a safe barrier, ensuring the safety of your pets, family and wildlife. Professional pest controllers use regulated bait quantities matched to your surroundings and keep pets out of harm’s way. Treating key nesting areas internally and removing nests will ensure a faster result.
Common Pitfalls Home-owners Make
- Depending solely on peppermint oil or mothballs as deterrents
- Setting snap traps in open spaces instead of flush against beams or walls
- Ignoring open duct or pipe shafts that run from ground floor to attic
- Waiting until the nightly scratching becomes a full-blown percussion concert
Each mis-step gives rats additional time to breed while you sleep.
When to Call the Professionals
Still hearing noises after sealing gaps and decluttering? Found freshly gnawed cables? Bring in the experts. Pestatermite inspects the whole property inside and outside, installing secure bait stations that keep children and pets safe. At Pestatermite we provide a warranty on any work done and will in the instance of a reinfestation within the warranty period retreat free of charge to ensure your property is rodent free.
Your Winter Rat-Proofing Plan
- Visit the Pestatermite website and request an inspection
- Receive a tailored quotation for your property needs.
- Sleep in peace knowing Pestatermites rodent warranty has you covered.
Keeping rats out of your ceiling is far easier than evicting them later. Seal the cracks, trim the branches, store food wisely, and partner with a reputable pest-control provider well before the true chill sets in. By taking proactive steps now, you can look forward to a warmer, quieter winter with no rustling overhead.