What to do about rat poop in attic of rental?

[Steve S.]

Any cost effective recommendations?

[Sean Peters]

Steve,

Just went through this ordeal 3 weeks ago.  Tenant reported rat droppings from attic.  Your best option is to call a local pest control service and mention your situation.

Likely, they will have a specific "package" for this service which includes placing traps in the attic to get rid of current intruders and will check the traps every few days.  If any are trapped, they will place another round to see if there are any rats remaining.  

When setting the traps, make sure to ask them to point out any exclusions/ points of access, which is probably the main issue.  Most pest control services will block/close small points of access and is included with your "package."  If by chance there is a larger access point which requires some extra work, they will point it out to you and you can decide how to proceed.

For my issue, the pest control service placed traps, trapped a few, and closed 2 access points which happened to be air vents on the roof, with mesh wiring.  The problem seems to have been remedied.  As an extra precaution, take a quick look at the vents around your property visually and see if there are any major cracks/opening which may be an access point.  Anything the size of a Quarter or larger is considered an access point and rats can get through it.

Hope this info. helps.