- Roof rat activity in Bakersfield spikes in October and November.
- A rat fits through a quarter-sized gap; a mouse through a dime-sized gap.
- Common entry points: roofline gaps, vents, garage door seals, plumbing penetrations.
- Trap first, then seal, so nothing is trapped inside.
Every year around the second week of October, our rodent calls double. Nights cool off, citrus ripens, and roof rats that have spent the summer in trees and fences start looking for a warm attic. If you had rats last winter, you will have them again unless something changed. Here is how to make sure something changes.
How rats get into Bakersfield homes
Roof rats climb. They use fences, block walls, power lines, and tree branches to reach the roofline, then look for gaps. The most common entry points we find:
- Gaps where roof tiles meet the fascia, especially at the eave corners
- Attic and gable vents with damaged or missing screens
- Unscreened dryer vents and bathroom exhaust vents
- Openings around plumbing and AC lines where they enter the wall
- Worn garage door bottom seals and side weather-stripping
- Crawl space access doors and foundation vents
A 20-minute inspection you can do yourself
- Walk the exterior at dusk with a flashlight and look up at the eaves for gaps and greasy rub marks.
- Check every vent for a tight, intact screen.
- Close the garage door and look for daylight under and beside it.
- In the attic, look for droppings, tunneling in the insulation, and chewed wiring.
- Check for fruit on the ground under citrus trees and pet food left outside overnight, both of which attract rats.
Why sealing has to be done right
Rats chew through foam, plastic, wood, and even soft aluminum. Openings need to be sealed with galvanized hardware cloth, sheet metal, or copper mesh backed with rodent-rated sealant. Spray foam by itself is a snack, not a barrier. This is the part most homeowners and general handymen get wrong, and it is why the rats are back the next year.
The right order: trap, then seal
If you seal a home with rats still inside, they either die in the walls or chew a new hole to get out. We place traps first, remove the animals over a week or two, then complete the exclusion work once activity has stopped. Our rodent proofing service includes a full inspection with photos of every opening before and after sealing.
What about poison?
Exterior bait stations have a role in some commercial settings, but for homes we strongly prefer trapping. Poisoned rats die in inaccessible places and smell for weeks, and secondary poisoning of owls, hawks, and pets is a real problem in Kern County.
Hearing scratching in the attic at night? We can usually be there the same day.
Frequently asked
How much does rodent proofing cost?
It is quoted after inspection based on the number of openings; the inspection is free. Most single-family homes fall in a few-hundred-dollar range.
Do rats leave in the summer?
Some move back outdoors, but attics that were occupied one winter are almost always reoccupied the next unless sealed.
Need help with this in Bakersfield, Oildale, Rosedale, or Shafter? Free inspection, same-day service.
Call (661) 493-5513