Rat Control Services in Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads
Roof rats and Norway rats removed, then locked out with crawl space and attic exclusion. Guaranteed, with a free inspection. Call (757) 502-0200.
- Control — snap traps set where rats travel
- Clean Up — nesting debris & fouled attic out
- Seal Out — gnaw-proof metal on every gap
- Guarantee — return activity handled free
Starting at just $34/month — see our Membership Plans for full details.
Expert Rat Control in Hampton Roads
Two rats show up in Hampton Roads, and they live at opposite ends of the house. Norway rats are the heavier, low-slung burrowers — they dig into soft ground against a foundation and work the crawl space, basement, and the base of the walls. Roof rats are the sleek climbers, and along the coast they are the ones most often found overhead, reaching an attic by way of overhanging limbs, fence lines, and utility wires, then nesting down in the fiberglass. Which rat you have decides where the traps go and which openings need sealing, so the first move is always to confirm the species from the droppings, the rub marks, and where the runways lead.
Tidewater construction gives both rats a foothold. The vented crawl spaces and pier foundations common here, built up off a high water table, hand the Norway rat a shaded burrowing edge and a vent screen to push through, while salt air and persistent damp soften the fascia, soffit, and rake boards along the roofline until a climbing roof rat finds a gap. The A/C line chase, plumbing penetrations, and worn crawl space doors do the rest. Mild coastal winters let rats breed nearly year-round rather than dying back, and a breeding pair establishes an attic or crawl space population over a single season — which is why sealing the structure matters as much as the trap line.
Rats read a Hampton Roads lot before they read the house. Properties backing onto tidal creeks, marsh edges, and drainage swales give Norway rats the damp, soft soil they burrow into right at the foundation, and the region's high water table keeps that ground workable most of the year. Older Norfolk and Virginia Beach neighborhoods with mature tree canopy hand roof rats a network of limbs and wires straight to a softened roofline, so the same street can have one home fighting burrowers below and its neighbor fighting climbers above. Rat control here has to match the species to the part of the structure it actually uses, which is why we map the activity before we set a single trap.
An Adult Rat, Caught on Camera in a Virginia Beach Attic
This is our own footage, filmed by technician Tanner Baine on a Virginia Beach inspection. Note the size: a grown rat, not a mouse, and comfortable enough to travel in the open. Which species it is, the video cannot tell you — roof rats are the agile climbers we most often find in coastal attics, reaching a roofline by way of overhanging limbs, fence lines and utility wires, while Norway rats burrow low and usually turn up in crawl spaces and along foundations. We settle that on site, from droppings, nesting material and where the runways lead, because trapping placement differs between the two. What does not change is the approach: bait boxes set around the yard treat the wrong place entirely when the population is living above the ceiling, and a rat that dies inside a wall is a problem of its own. Clearing an attic means traps on the runways the rats are already using, then sealing the roofline gaps, soffit corners and utility penetrations they travel through — otherwise the next one moves into the space this one leaves behind.
What a Rat Visit Includes
A rat job is trapping and sealing handled together — clear the animals inside, then close the specific openings a coastal home leaves, with the whole thing written up.
Species identification and mapping
We confirm Norway rat versus roof rat and map the runways, burrows, and rub marks, because trap placement and the size of the gaps that need sealing differ between a low burrower and an overhead climber.
Snap trapping on the runways
Mechanical traps go directly on the active routes in the crawl space, attic, and along the walls, so we recover what we catch rather than leaving a poisoned rat to die inside a wall void.
Exclusion sealing
Documented openings are closed with gnaw-resistant metal flashing and steel mesh, since rats chew through soft patches. Larger sealing scopes run through our pest exclusion service.
Sanitation and written findings
Fouled nesting material and droppings are removed and the space treated to erase the odor trails a rat leaves behind, and your report lists the entry points and recommendation in writing, backed by our Pest-Free Guarantee.
Exclusion: Closing a Rat's Way In
Trapping without sealing just buys a quiet stretch before the next rat finds the same hole. Exclusion targets the openings coastal construction leaves, and the price scales with how many there are and how hard they are to reach.
Gnaw-resistant materials
Custom metal flashing and steel mesh at each opening — the materials rats cannot work back open, unlike foam, caulk, or steel wool.
The openings on a coastal home
Roof rats exploit ridge and gable vents and softened soffit returns up high; Norway rats use crawl space vents and access doors down low. The A/C line chase and plumbing penetrations serve both.
Plans and one-time treatment
Our quarterly service runs $34/month to keep an exterior barrier maintained, and a one-time initial treatment for an active rat problem runs $87 – $287.
Whole-home exclusion pricing
Locking an entire home out against rats runs $99 – $1,495, set by how many openings there are and how hard each one is to reach — a few accessible vents fall low in that range, a complex roofline riddled with roof-rat entries sits toward the top.
Our Proven 4-Step Process
Control
First we settle which rat you have — Norway rats burrowing low or roof rats overhead — from droppings, rub marks and where the runways lead, then set snap traps directly on those routes to clear the population living in the structure now.
Clean Up
What the rats fouled comes out: nesting debris, droppings and urine-soaked attic or crawl space material are removed and the space sanitized, taking the odor and scent trails that advertise the spot to the next rat with them.
Seal Out
Rats chew through soft patches, so the openings we document — roofline gaps, fascia, vent screens, the A/C line chase, crawl space doors — are closed with metal flashing and steel mesh instead of foam or caulk.
Guarantee
Our Pest-Free Guarantee stands behind the job: if rat activity starts up again between scheduled visits, we return and put it right at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if I have Norway rats or roof rats in my crawl space?
Norway rats are larger, burrow low, and are usually found in crawl spaces, basements, and along foundations, while roof rats are sleeker, highly agile climbers that prefer attics and upper areas. Roof rats are the ones we most often find in coastal attics, reaching them by way of overhanging pine limbs, fence lines, and utility wires, then nesting down in the fiberglass insulation. In Hampton Roads crawl spaces you'll often see droppings, burrow openings near the foundation, and gnaw damage on wood joists and wiring. Identifying the species correctly is key, because trapping placement and exclusion differ for each.
Identify Your Rats
Let us confirm the rat species and map their activity for free.
Get Free InspectionHow can I tell if I have rats or just mice in my attic?
Sound and droppings give it away. Rats are heavy enough to hear: loud scratching, gnawing, and dragging noises overhead after dark, versus the faint scurrying of mice. The droppings are the more reliable test, though. Rat droppings run about half an inch to three quarters of an inch long with blunt or tapered ends, roughly the size and shape of an olive pit, while mouse droppings are small and thin like grains of rice. Getting this right matters, because trap size, placement, and the size of the gaps that need sealing are all different.
Find Out What Is Up There
We photograph and video what we find so you can see it for yourself.
Get Free InspectionWhy are rats so common in Hampton Roads crawl spaces?
Our coastal humidity, high water tables, and abundance of vented crawl spaces create the damp, sheltered conditions rats love. Mild tidewater winters allow both Norway and roof rats to breed nearly year-round, and foundation vents or utility gaps give them easy entry. Effective rat control here means sealing those entry points and addressing crawl space conditions, not just setting traps.
Are the products used for rat control safe around my family and pets?
Yes, our rat treatments use pet-safe and family-safe products, with bait secured inside locked, tamper-resistant stations placed in crawl spaces and other areas away from living space. If you prefer, all-natural product options are available upon request. We prioritize snap trapping and exclusion in occupied areas to minimize any chemical use around your household.
Family-Safe Rat Control
Remove rats safely with treatments made for homes with pets and kids.
Book Safe ServiceWhy shouldn't I put poison bait boxes inside my house for rats?
Because you cannot control where the rat dies. Poison used inside a living space or attic routinely results in rats dying in sealed wall voids, above ceilings, or inside duct chases, and the decomposition odor that follows can last for weeks along with the blowflies it draws. There is often no practical way to reach the carcass without opening drywall. Our approach is the reverse: mechanical snap trapping inside, where we recover what we catch, paired with exterior stations and exclusion work that keeps the next one from getting in.
Odor-Free Interior Rat Trapping
Get rats removed without the risk of one dying inside a wall.
Get a QuoteHow fast can a rat problem grow if I leave it alone?
Faster than most homeowners expect. A breeding pair produces several litters a year, commonly five to eight young per litter, and those young can begin breeding themselves at around three months old. The practical effect is that the two or three rats you are hearing now can become a well-established attic population over the course of a season, and the longer it runs the more gnawing damage, insulation loss, and contamination you are paying to put right afterward. Acting early is almost always the cheaper version of this job.
Get Ahead of the Problem
Have the activity assessed before the population establishes itself.
Get Free InspectionCan rats chew into my air duct system?
Yes, and in attics it is common. Roof rats chew straight through flexible insulated ducting, then nest inside the trunk lines, which means droppings and nesting debris sit directly in the path of the air being pushed through your registers. Rats also soil crawl space insulation heavily. Because Universal is the Total Home Health Professionals, we can remove the rats, seal the entry points, and then repair and sanitize the ductwork and insulation as one coordinated effort rather than leaving you to arrange it separately.
Total Home Health Rat Restoration
Remove the rats, then repair and sanitize the ducts and insulation.
What makes Universal Pest & Termite a trustworthy choice for rat control?
We are a family-owned and operated company that has served Virginia Beach and all of Hampton Roads since 2000, and we hold an A+ BBB Rating for consistently reliable service. Every rat control job comes with our Pest-Free Guarantee, meaning we return at no charge if activity resumes between scheduled visits. Our local technicians understand tidewater crawl spaces and tailor each treatment accordingly.
Request a Free Quote
24/7 Immediate Response for all of the 757 — or call (757) 502-0200
The Universal Guarantee
Our Rat Control services are backed by our comprehensive warranty. If the pests come back, we come back. No questions asked.
"Stephen was fantastic!! What a breath of fresh air after working with another company that was just ripping us off. Stephen was very informative and answered all my questions. I feel confident in the work he is doing and look forward to future visits. I would highly recommend Stephen and Universal for pest control."
— Verified Google Review
Rodent cleanup and attic-to-crawl-space care in Hampton Roads
Trapping and exclusion remove the rodents; cleanup removes what they left behind. We can remove contaminated nesting material and use a fogging machine for disinfectant treatments in attics and crawl spaces when the space and materials call for it. In some homes, up to 40% of the air you breathe can come through attic and crawl-space pathways, so those areas deserve more than a trap and a quick sweep.
Infestation cleanup
Droppings, urine-marked nesting material, and damaged insulation are assessed and cleaned up after the rodent control work.
Disinfectant fogging
Where appropriate, a fogging machine helps distribute a disinfectant treatment through affected attic and crawl-space areas after contaminated material is addressed.
One family of companies
Universal Insulation Doctor handles damaged insulation, while Universal Duct Cleaning cleans affected ductwork. That is the Total Home Health promise: one coordinated path from control to restoration.
Rodent repellent application around your perimeter — included at no additional charge
Every membership subscription service now includes a rodent repellent application around the perimeter of your home. On its own it is $75 per application — with a membership it comes with your regular service at no extra cost.
Recent Rat Control Jobs Across Hampton Roads
Roof rat exclusion, crawl space trapping, and attic restoration from around the region. Hover a pin or a job card to see what the tech handled.
Latest activity
10 recent visits- 1
Attic Rat Removal
near Ocean Park, Virginia Beach 2 hours agoTrapped roof rats nesting in attic insulation; sealed metal flashing over unscreened roof ridge vents.
- 2
Exterior Burrow & Bait Stations
near Great Bridge, Chesapeake 4 hours agoLocated large Norway rat burrows near exterior shed; installed secure exterior bait stations and sealed crawl space doors.
- 3
Insulation & Duct Restoration
near Colonial Place, Norfolk 6 hours agoRemoved roof rats from attic trunk lines; Universal Duct Cleaning sanitized and re-sealed chewed flex ductwork.
- 4
Roofline Exclusion
near Red Mill, Virginia Beach TodaySealed fascia board intersections and gable vents where roof rats accessed the attic via overhanging pine trees.
- 5
Crawl Space Trapping
near Churchland, Portsmouth TodayCompleted physical trapping line inside crawl space, capturing 4 rats and sealing foundation wall penetrations.
- 6
Roofline Exclusion
near Riverview, Suffolk YesterdayExecuted full roofline exclusion using heavy-duty galvanized hardware cloth to stop coastal roof rat entries.
Locations shown are street-level only. We never publish a customer's exact address.
Rat Control Near You
Get local rat control details, common pest pressure, and service info for your city:
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City guides: Pest control in Chesapeake · Pest control in Virginia Beach · Pest control in Norfolk · Pest control in Portsmouth · Pest control in Suffolk · Pest control in Hampton · Pest control in Newport News · Pest control in York County · Pest control in Poquoson · Pest control in Yorktown · Pest control in Williamsburg · All of Hampton Roads
Other Services You Might Need
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One company. Three ways to protect your home.
An attic rat problem rarely ends at the trapping. Roof rats chew straight into flexible duct runs and nest in the insulation they shred, which means the material your air moves through and the material keeping your home warm are both part of the same job. When our inspection turns up that kind of damage, it goes on the quote instead of being quietly left above the ceiling.
Most pest companies would have to hand that half of the work to whoever you can find. We do not — insulation removal and replacement is Universal Insulation Doctor's trade, duct repair and cleaning is Universal Duct Cleaning's, and both are sister companies scheduled through the same office as your rat work. One project, one set of people, done in the right order.
Ready to protect your home?
Call now or request a free quote online. Same-day service often available.
How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.