If you hear scratching or smell rats overhead, your Los Angeles home usually needs two jobs. The animals have to be removed, and the attic has to be cleaned, sealed and reinsulated so the smell goes and they can’t get back in. AtticareUSA does the second job across Greater Los Angeles from its Burbank office. When rodents are still active, its sister company PestCare handles the removal first.
At a glance
- Book a free attic inspection: we check for rodent activity and entry points, and we report what we find.
- Remove live rodents first: if they are still active, our sister company PestCare traps them before attic work starts.
- Take out the soiled insulation: the smell lives in the urine, droppings and nests, so that material has to come out.
- Seal the way in: wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement close the entry points, backed by a written 1-year limited warranty.
- Insulate last: new insulation goes onto a clean, sealed attic floor, never over the problem.
The Short Answer: Call AtticareUSA for the Attic, and PestCare First if Rodents Are Active
Call AtticareUSA for a free attic inspection. If we find rodents still living in the attic, PestCare removes them first. We then remove the soiled insulation, droppings and nests, sanitize when needed, seal the entry points, air seal the attic floor and install new insulation last.
Here is how the work splits in Los Angeles:
- PestCare, our sister company, handles trapping and removal of live rodents in the Los Angeles area.
- Our team handles what the animals leave behind: contaminated insulation, droppings, nests, odor, the gaps they used to get in, and the new insulation.
We do not trap, bait, poison or exterminate. Our work is exclusion, cleanup, sanitation and restoration. That is the part of the problem that decides whether the smell goes away and whether the attic stays closed.
Book a free attic inspection: call our Burbank office at 1-888-843-7081 or contact us online.
What That Scratching or Smell in a Los Angeles Attic Usually Means
Scratching, running or gnawing overhead, together with a sour, ammonia-like smell, usually points to rats or mice in the attic. The smell comes from urine and droppings in the insulation. An inspection confirms what is actually there.
A noise over the bedroom at 2 a.m. is unsettling, and the sounds often stand out at night, once the house goes quiet. The smell is a separate clue, and an important one. If you can smell it, it is not just a pest problem. It is a contamination problem.
Urine soaks into loose-fill and batt insulation. Droppings collect along the paths the animals travel, and nests get built into the insulation itself. Because the material holds what was left in it, the odor stays even when nothing is moving overhead.
The insulation is often where the evidence is hiding. From the attic hatch, you may see a few droppings or a flattened trail. Underneath, there can be urine staining, nesting debris and chewed or compressed insulation you cannot see from the opening.
Rodent waste deserves care. The CDC’s rodent clean-up guidance advises handling droppings, urine, nesting material and dead rodents carefully. That is one reason not to dig through the insulation yourself, and one reason AtticareUSA removes soiled insulation rather than covering it.
We do not try to name the animal from a description of the noise. Our inspection does that, and it finds where the animal is getting in.
Why Los Angeles Attic Cleanup Is Two Jobs, Not One
Traps and bait deal with the animals. They do not take out the soiled insulation, droppings and nests, and they do not close the way in. That is why an attic can still smell after the last rat is gone, and why new rodents can follow the same path inside.
Why the attic still smells after the exterminator came
Homeowners who have already paid for traps ask us this: “The rats are gone. Why does it still smell?”
Because the source of the smell was never the rats alone. It was the urine, droppings and nests in the insulation, and those are still there. No trap removes contaminated material. Until the soiled insulation is vacuumed out and the exposed surfaces are cleaned, and sanitized when needed, the odor stays.
Droppings and urine also leave scent trails. We vacuum out droppings and nests with the old insulation, and the attic can then be sanitized to cut the leftover scent trails that draw new rodents back.
Who does each job in Los Angeles
- Removal of live rodents: PestCare, our sister company, handles trapping and pest control in the Los Angeles area.
- Everything after: AtticareUSA cleans the attic, seals the entry points and reinsulates, working from our Burbank office.
If the inspection shows no active rodents, we go straight to the attic work. If rodents are still active, PestCare removes them first, and then we do the cleanup, entry-point sealing and insulation. That way the attic work starts with no live rodents and ends with the entry points sealed.
The two kinds of work are also sold differently. Many exterminators sell recurring service contracts. Our rodent proofing is one-time and subscription-free, with a written 1-year limited warranty. Learn more about our attic cleaning services in Los Angeles.
What AtticareUSA Does in a Los Angeles Attic, in Order
AtticareUSA follows a fixed order: free inspection with findings reported, floor protection and dust barriers, heavy-duty vacuum removal of old insulation with droppings and nests, sanitizing and deodorizing when needed, rodent proofing with wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement, air sealing of the attic floor, and new insulation last.
The order matters. Each step prepares the attic for the next one, and we never install insulation over an unresolved rodent problem.
Step 1: Free inspection, with findings reported
We check the attic for rodent activity and possible entry points, and for rodent damage to pipes and electrical wires. We report what we find, explain which steps your attic needs (insulation removal, sanitization, rodent proofing, air sealing) and work out the approach with you.
Not every attic is a removal project. Clean, dry insulation that has only settled may be topped up rather than replaced. Insulation with droppings, urine staining or nesting debris, or insulation that has been chewed or heavily compressed, comes out.
Step 2: Floors protected, dust barriers set up
Before work starts, our crew covers floors in the work area with protective barriers as needed and sets up plastic partition walls or dust-barrier tunnels where required. Attic cleanup is messy work, and your living space should not pay for it.
Step 3: Old insulation, droppings and nests vacuumed out
We remove old and contaminated insulation with a heavy-duty vacuum along with rodent droppings, nests and debris, then haul it away and dispose of it. Cleanup includes removing rodent carcasses and rodent waste. Once the old insulation is out, our crew vacuums the remaining droppings, nests and debris from the exposed attic surfaces.
This step does more than remove the source of the smell. With the old insulation gone, the attic floor is visible, and issues that were hidden under it come into view.
Step 4: Sanitizing and deodorizing, when needed
When the attic calls for it, we treat the work area with OdoBan disinfectant and odor eliminator to address rodent odors and pheromones. This is the step that targets the scent trails left behind. We do it when needed, not on every job.
Step 5: Rodent proofing with wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement
Our rodent proofing is pesticide-free. We seal entry points with wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement as needed, matched to the opening. Sealing entry points helps reduce the chance of future rodent entry, and it happens before new insulation goes in, not after. The treated areas carry our written 1-year limited warranty (the FAQ below covers the terms). See how we approach rodent proofing in Los Angeles.
Step 6: Air sealing the attic floor
We close gaps and cracks around fixtures, piping, wiring and vents on the attic floor with foam and caulk before any insulation is installed. When we remove old attic insulation, we seal and caulk the gaps between the attic and living space to comply with California’s Title 24 building code. For background on why this step comes before insulating, see the ENERGY STAR attic air sealing guide.
Step 7: New insulation, last
New insulation goes in last, after cleanup and sealing, installed to the depth and R-value your home needs. It sits on a clean, sealed attic floor, not on top of odor or open gaps. Do not cover the problem with new insulation. Read more about our attic insulation replacement in Los Angeles, or see why the attic cleanup order of operations decides whether the fix lasts.
Our crews take before-and-after photos on the job, and those photos are available upon request.
Want to know what your attic needs? Book a free attic inspection with our Burbank office at 1-888-843-7081 or contact us online.
Why Los Angeles Attics See Rodents All Year
Los Angeles is warm to hot for most of the year, and its winters do not create a cold off-season, so rodent activity does not stop. Roof rats and other rodents can find their way in through tile roof edges, vents and utility penetrations in any season.
In colder regions, winter can slow rodent activity. Here, warm winters leave no clean off-season. In summer, Los Angeles attics reach 140-160 degrees F, which is also why the condition of your insulation matters for the rooms below, especially upstairs bedrooms that already run hot.
Many Los Angeles homes are older or mid-century. An attic that has gone years without attention may have aging insulation, construction gaps or earlier DIY patches, and each of those can hide droppings or leave a way in. Openings we check include:
- Gaps at tile roof edges and along the roofline
- Gable vents and other attic vents
- Spots where stucco walls meet the roofline
- Openings around plumbing, wiring and other utility penetrations
- Construction gaps where materials meet
Every house is different. That is why our inspection maps the actual entry points in your attic rather than working from a generic list.
Recent AtticareUSA Jobs in Los Angeles
AtticareUSA completes attic cleanup, rodent proofing and insulation jobs in the city of Los Angeles from our Burbank office. These two recent jobs follow the same order: old insulation and rodent waste out, sealing, then new R-38 insulation on a clean, sealed deck.
- Los Angeles, CA 91306 (February 2026): A 1,560 sq ft attic held two kinds of old insulation (loose-fill and matted batts) along with rodent droppings and nests. We cleared it to the bare deck, sanitized it, sealed fixtures and vents with foam and wire mesh, and installed new R-38 fiberglass batts. See the Los Angeles 91306 project.
- Los Angeles, CA 91352 (August 2026): Our crew removed the old insulation with a heavy-duty vacuum, cleaned out rodent waste, droppings and nesting material, and treated surfaces with OdoBan. We sealed entry points with wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement, air-sealed the attic floor, and installed new R-38 fiberglass batts on the clean, sealed deck. See the Los Angeles 91352 project.
What to Ask Any Los Angeles Attic Company You Call
Before you hire anyone for a rodent-damaged attic in Los Angeles, ask four things: do they seal the entry points, do they remove contaminated insulation instead of adding a layer on top, does new insulation go in last, and is the rodent proofing warranted? Then ask how the price is set.
1. Do you seal the entry points, and with what?
AtticareUSA seals entry points with wire mesh, polyurethane foam and cement as needed. Trapping alone does not address how rodents got in.
2. Will you remove the contaminated insulation, or top it up?
We replace rodent-contaminated insulation rather than topping it up, because a new layer on top leaves the odors and contamination in place.
3. When does the new insulation go in?
Last. We install new insulation only after the attic is cleaned and sealed.
4. Is the rodent proofing warranted, and is it a contract?
Our rodent proofing is one-time and subscription-free, with a written 1-year limited warranty on the treated areas.
5. How is the price set?
Price depends on the size and condition of the attic and on any added issues you choose to fix, and our on-site estimator takes measurements. Our estimates list the fee for each service separately, with no hidden fees. For more on what drives price, read about attic cleaning cost in Los Angeles. If you already have another contractor’s quote, we offer a free second-opinion inspection and a written proposal you can compare.
Los Angeles Attic Cleanup FAQ
Who should I call if I hear scratching or movement in my attic in Los Angeles?
Call AtticareUSA for a free attic inspection from our Burbank office. If rodents are still active, our sister company PestCare removes them first. We then remove the soiled insulation, droppings and nests, sanitize when needed, seal the entry points and install new insulation last.
My attic smells bad and I think rats may have been in there. What kind of company should I call in Los Angeles?
Call an attic cleanup company that also does rodent proofing and insulation replacement. The smell comes from urine and droppings in the insulation, so the fix is removing that material, sanitizing when needed, sealing the entry points and reinsulating. In Greater Los Angeles, AtticareUSA does this work from our Burbank office.
Is there one company in Los Angeles that can seal rodent entry points and replace attic insulation?
Yes. AtticareUSA seals rodent entry points and replaces attic insulation itself, as one attic project that also covers cleanup and air sealing. If rodents are still active, PestCare, our sister company, removes them before we start.
Why does my attic still smell after the exterminator came?
Because traps and bait remove animals, not contaminated material. Urine, droppings and nests stay in the insulation until they are vacuumed out and the exposed surfaces are cleaned and, when needed, treated with an odor eliminator.
Can I put new insulation over the old insulation?
Not when the old insulation is contaminated by rodents, because a new layer on top leaves the odors and contamination in place. Clean, dry insulation that has only settled may be topped up, and our inspection tells you which case you have.
Does AtticareUSA trap or remove rodents?
No. AtticareUSA does not trap, bait, poison or remove live rodents. In the Los Angeles area, that work goes to our sister company PestCare, and we handle exclusion, cleanup, sanitation and restoration.
How long is the AtticareUSA rodent-proofing warranty?
One year. Our rodent proofing has a written 1-year limited warranty on the treated areas (not living spaces or garages). New rodent entry points found within the year are sealed at no additional charge, subject to the listed exclusions, and the warranty transfers to the next owner if the home is sold.
Book a Free Attic Inspection With AtticareUSA in Los Angeles
AtticareUSA starts with a free attic inspection. We report what we find, explain which steps your attic needs and send a proposal that lists each service separately.
We serve Greater Los Angeles from our Burbank office, including the San Fernando Valley, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, Long Beach, and parts of Orange County, Ventura County and the Inland Empire. Closer in, that covers Los Angeles, Burbank, North Hollywood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, Culver City and West Hollywood.
We have been in business since 2012 and have helped over 11,000 clients. We are highly rated with 1400+ reviews, Diamond Certified and BPI-certified, and we are licensed, insured, and bonded (CA #1051462).
Financing is available, and LADWP customers may qualify for LADWP attic insulation rebates of up to about $1,000.
If the scratching or the smell is still there, book your free Los Angeles attic cleanup inspection before new insulation goes over the problem. We will clean, seal, and restore your attic in the right order.
Our Greater Los Angeles office: Burbank, CA
Phone: 1-888-843-7081
Contact us to book your free attic inspection.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cleaning Up After Rodents”: https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html
- ENERGY STAR, “Attic Air Sealing Project”: https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/attic-air-sealing-project
- PestCare (our sister company, live rodent removal in the Los Angeles area): https://pestcareusa.com/
- AtticareUSA project, attic insulation replacement and rodent proofing, Los Angeles, CA 91306: https://atticareusa.com/project/attic-insulation-replacement-and-rodent-proofing-in-los-angeles-ca-91306/
- AtticareUSA project, attic insulation replacement and cleanup, Los Angeles, CA 91352: https://atticareusa.com/project/attic-insulation-replacement-and-cleanup-in-los-angeles-ca/
