Cooler Months Bring Roof Rats Toward North Orange County Attics, and the Fix Starts at the Roofline
Nov 6, 2026
PLACENTIA, United States, November 6, 2026 -- PLACENTIA, CA, November 2026. North Orange County homeowners can lower the chance of roof rats nesting in their attics this winter by closing openings above ground level and removing the fruit, pet food and climbing plants that draw rats into a yard, according to Mosquito Squad of North Orange County, a family-owned pest control company based in Placentia.
A Seasonal Shift the County Has Flagged
In January 2026 the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District warned residents of a significant rise in rat activity as rats seek warmth and shelter indoors, naming the roof rat as its main concern. The district's guidance included closing gaps around doors, garages and vents, harvesting ripe fruit promptly, storing pet food and birdseed in sealed metal containers, and setting wooden snap traps.
Roof rats are agile climbers that nest in elevated, enclosed spaces. University of California Integrated Pest Management's Pest Notes on rats lists attics, wall voids, ceiling voids and cabinets as typical indoor nesting sites, and notes that roof rats are present in almost all cities across California. The same publication warns that roof rats living in an attic can damage insulation and wiring and create a risk of electrical sparks and fires.
What Homeowners Can Do This Month
Most of the recommended steps are simple yard care. UC IPM advises sealing every opening larger than 1/4 inch with steel wool, wire screen or sheet metal, covering vents with 1/2-inch galvanized mesh, and, because roof rats climb, sealing openings above ground level as well. It also recommends thinning ivy and other climbing plants on walls and fences and removing tree limbs that overhang the roof.
The vector control district notes that roof rats travel through neighborhoods along utility lines and fences. Because rats move from yard to yard, Mosquito Squad of North Orange County encourages neighbors to take these steps together. Residents can also request a rodent inspection from the district, whose inspectors point out attractants and likely entry points around a home, by calling (714) 971-2421.
"Rats come with living somewhere this green, and nobody should feel embarrassed about them," said Kimberly Welch, owner of Mosquito Squad of North Orange County. "The county's advice is sound, and most of it costs nothing. Pick the fruit, cut the branches back from the roof and close the gaps up high. If the rats are already inside, that's when it makes sense to call a professional."
Homeowners who want help can request a free quote through the company's North Orange County page, where rodent control is offered as an add-on to its Complete Home & Yard Package.
About Mosquito Squad of North Orange County
Mosquito Squad of North Orange County is a family-owned and woman-owned pest control company in Placentia, California, owned by Kim and Dave Welch, long-time Placentia residents who opened the business in 2021. The company has served over 2,000 families and provides mosquito control, home and yard pest control, flea treatment and special event sprays across North Orange County, with rodent control available as an add-on. It uses EPA-registered products and backs every service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Each Mosquito Squad location is independently owned and operated.
Media Contact
Kimberly Welch, Owner
Mosquito Squad of North Orange County
(657) 217-2679
[email protected]
https://www.mosquitosquad.com/north-orange-county/
Contact Info:
Name: Kimberly Welch
Email: Send Email
Organization: Mosquito Squad of North Orange County
Phone: (657) 217-2679
Website: https://mosquitosquad.com/north-jersey
Release ID: 89208772
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