The previous blog, RATS!......,talked about rats in the basement. This time I will talk about Attics, where infiltration by rats and other vermin into the home is perhaps the most prevalent. Often there is a network of trails visible in the insulation. Sometimes the infestation is so bad that I have to call for the professional removal of the insulation. Rodents can damage wiring hidden in the insulation and find there way into walls and the rest of the home. In the picture below we can see the tell-tale "body-grease" on the plastic exhaust duct being used as a roadway into the attic from the roof vent. The roof vent is missing its screen. (The duct should also vent to the exterior at a roof vent cap with a back draft damper----subject of a future blog.) 
Again, all openings into the attic must be eliminated to prevent re-infestation. A very common point of entry is all along the gutters of the home. If rats can get to the roof (from trees/bushes/ivy too close to the home or even along the electrical wires from the street) they can usually find a way into the attic along the gutters. Proper eave flashings can eliminate this problem. In the picture above the primarily entry point was at the roof vent with a missing screen.
Charles Buell
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Charlie,
The problem I see with this blog you wrote is typical of your negative thinking. That is, it is written under the assumption that all rats are bad. Where is that coming from? Huh? How would this be changed, the tone of it, for example, if you were to assume that some rats are standup guys and gals.
Had some racoons in the attic yesterday afternoon. Could hear at least two of them rummaging aorund up there. Didn't stick my head up. I ain't fussing with them.
One of the poor fellas had fallen into the house as the ceiling woudln't support them.
Steve, How long does a bag of dog food last for those rats of yours?
Erby, I think raccoons are scarier than rats. One time I went in the crawl space and when I got far enough from the entryway the raccoon skedaddled out.