Rat Control in New Braunfels, TX
Heavy scratching in the attic? Call 830-777-CAMO (2266) for a rat inspection.
Rats are a different problem than mice, and they need a different approach. They are larger, more destructive, considerably more cautious, and in Central Texas they usually come in through the roof rather than the ground floor.
At Camo Pest Control, we identify which species you are dealing with, remove the active population, and seal the entry points so the next one cannot follow. Trapping without sealing is a temporary fix on a problem that does not stay fixed.
Rats
Rats are more than just a nuisance—they can cause serious damage to your property and create health risks for your family or customers. Rats are known for chewing through insulation, wood, and electrical wiring, increasing the risk of fires and costly repairs. At Camo Pest Control, we provide professional rat control and removal services designed to eliminate active rat infestations and prevent future problems.
If you’ve noticed scratching sounds in the attic or walls, droppings, or signs of gnawing, it’s important to act quickly. Rats reproduce fast, and infestations can grow out of control if left untreated. Our experienced technicians respond promptly, identify where rats are nesting and entering your property, and implement effective control strategies tailored to your situation.
Roof Rats vs Norway Rats in Central Texas
Most rat problems around New Braunfels involve roof rats. Knowing which species is in your home changes where we look and how we treat.
| Roof Rat | Norway Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Also called | Black rat, palm rat | Brown rat, sewer rat |
| Size | Slimmer, 6 to 8 inch body, tail longer than body | Heavier, 7 to 10 inch body, tail shorter than body |
| Where they nest | High. Attics, soffits, palm trees, fence lines, utility lines | Low. Burrows, under slabs, sheds, driveways, woodpiles |
| How they enter | Roof line, soffit gaps, attic vents, overhanging tree limbs | Foundation gaps, crawl space vents, broken sewer lines |
| Droppings | Roughly half an inch, pointed ends | Roughly three quarters of an inch, blunt ends |
| Common in Central Texas | Yes, the dominant species | Less common, usually near drainage or older infrastructure |
Roof rats are excellent climbers. A tree limb touching the roof, a fence running to the eave, or a utility line into the house is a highway. That is why we start rat inspections at the roof line rather than the foundation.
If the sounds you are hearing are lighter and higher in the walls rather than heavy overhead, you may be dealing with mice instead. We cover mouse control separately here.
How Rats Get Into Central Texas Homes
A rat can get through a gap roughly the size of a quarter, and can widen a smaller one by chewing. On homes around New Braunfels, Seguin, Buda, and Schertz, these are the openings we find most often:
Roof line and fascia gaps. Where the roof decking meets the fascia board there is often a gap, especially on older homes or after storm damage.
Soffit vents and attic vents. Damaged, unscreened, or loose vents give direct attic access.
Overhanging tree limbs. Any branch within a few feet of the roof is a bridge. This is the most common contributing factor we find on roof rat jobs.
Utility line entries. Where power, cable, or AC lines enter the structure, the gap around the penetration is rarely sealed properly.
Chimney and flue openings. Uncapped or damaged chimney caps.
Foundation and crawl space gaps. More typical of Norway rats, including broken or unscreened crawl space vents.
Garage door corners. The bottom corners rarely seal flush, and the garage is a common staging area before rats move into the main structure.
Signs You Have Rats
- Heavy noises overhead at night. Rats are noticeably louder than mice. Homeowners describe scrambling, running, and thumping in the attic or ceiling, usually shortly after dark.
- Droppings. Dark, capsule shaped, roughly half an inch long. Commonly found in the attic, along beams, in the garage, or near stored food.
- Greasy rub marks. Rats follow the same routes repeatedly and their fur leaves dark smudges along beams, baseboards, pipes, and entry holes. This is one of the more reliable signs a technician looks for.
- Gnawed wiring or wood. Chew damage on electrical wiring, PVC, wood framing, or stored items.
- Burrows or dug holes. Norway rats leave two to four inch openings near foundations, sheds, driveways, or under concrete.
- Damaged insulation. Tunneling and nesting in attic insulation, often visible as flattened trails or displaced material.
Areas We Serve
Looking for dependable pest control near you? Camo Pest Control serves homes and businesses across New Braunfels and nearby cities with fast response times and customized treatment plans. View the areas we currently serve below, and contact us if you don’t see your location listed.
- New Braunfels
- Canyon Lake
- Garden Ridge
- Gruene
- Buda
- Bulverde
- Cibolo
- Kyle
- La Vernia
- Spring Branch
Frequently Asked Questions
Location is the fastest indicator. Roof rats nest high, so noises in the attic and ceiling and droppings along beams point to roof rats. Norway rats nest low, so burrows near the foundation, shed, or driveway point to them. Roof rats are the more common species in Central Texas. Our technicians confirm the species during inspection.
Most commonly through roof line gaps, damaged or unscreened soffit and attic vents, and gaps around utility line penetrations. Overhanging tree limbs are the most frequent contributing factor, because roof rats climb well and a branch near the roof gives them direct access.
No. Once rats have established shelter, food, and water in a structure, they stay and continue breeding. Attic activity in particular tends to increase rather than resolve, because the space is undisturbed and insulated.
Rat jobs generally take longer than mouse jobs because rats avoid new objects in their territory. Most residential jobs show meaningful reduction within two to three weeks, with exclusion work completed alongside trapping. Timeline depends on population size and how many entry points need sealing.
We seal entry points as part of exclusion, including roof line gaps, vents, and penetrations. For larger structural repairs or insulation replacement, we will tell you what we find and what needs attention so you can address it. We give you an honest assessment rather than upselling work that is not necessary.
Yes. Rats frequently travel between the attic and wall voids using the same routes. Our inspection covers both, and trapping is placed based on where activity is actually confirmed rather than only where noise is heard.
Pricing depends on the size of the property, the extent of activity, and how much exclusion work is required. We provide a clear quote after the inspection, before work begins. No contracts and no recurring commitment required.