Cool Nest - Attic

Rats in an Attic

Pack rats often nest in attics, but seldom is the actual nest visible, because the rats prefer to nest under the insulation where the temperatures are lower.  This nest is above a free standing garage where there was no insulation and the full extent of the nest is visible.

The rat gained entry into the attic through a torn bird screen.

Pack rats like to always have an alternative escape route whenever possible.  Since there was no  insulation, I could clearly see where the rat probed a gap in the sheet rock.

The rat settled on chewing a hole through a solid  2x6 as you can see in the picture below.

The pack rat in this attic did a significant amount of damage to the wiring in the attic.  Mostly by striping off the outer insulation. You can see pieces of the insulation below with the teeth marks clearly viable.

Needless to say.  You do not want pack rats in your attic.