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Roof Rat Removal and Rodent Control in South Pasadena

Roof rats in South Pasadena rarely come up from the ground — they come across from the trees. We find where branches meet your roofline, trap the rats already inside, close the openings and clean up what they left behind.

South Pasadena has roughly 21,000 trees and about 100 acres of parks. Wherever branches overhang a roof, that canopy can give roof rats a direct route to the attic.

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Technician on a ladder fitting galvanized mesh into a gap between exposed rafter tails at the eave of a wood-shingled Craftsman bungalow, with a tree branch reaching toward the roof

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Pest Control PESPRO — 12207 Chosen St, El Monte, CA 91733, about 7.9 miles from South Pasadena
Office phone
(323) 303-3522
Certification
QualityPro certified (National Pest Management Association)
Reputation
4.9 stars from 132 Google reviews · 15+ years in business
Hours
Mon–Fri 8AM–6PM, Sat 9AM–3PM · 24/7 emergency line

Canopy routes: how roof rats reach South Pasadena attics

South Pasadena has been recognized as a Tree City USA, and a 2026 tree-walk guide counts about 21,000 trees across the city, including the mature sycamores and oaks of Eddie Park. For people, that canopy is the city's signature. For roof rats, it is likely a network of bridges: they nest in dense foliage and palms, then run along branches, fence tops and utility lines onto roofs.

So we inspect from the treetops down. We note every branch that touches or hangs over the roof, every line that ends at an eave, and the attic openings closest to them. Trimming those crossings — done by a tree professional — together with sealing the roof is what keeps rats from simply returning.

Sources: [20][19]

Sealing a historic home without stripping its character

The city's design guidelines for historic residences ask owners of Craftsman homes to keep and repair original wood windows, wood shingles and exposed rafter tails rather than replace them, and South Pasadena has 11 designated historic districts. Open eaves on these houses often leave gaps between rafter tails or behind missing blocking — exactly the kind of opening a roof rat looks for.

We close those gaps with galvanized mesh and sheet metal cut to fit the existing openings, fastened to keep holes in original wood to a minimum and painted to match where needed, instead of removing trim or shingles. Expanding foam on its own is never the final fix. If your house is a designated landmark or in a historic district, check with the city's planning staff about any visible exterior change; we'll gladly document our proposed work for that conversation.

Sources: [17][18]

Rodents, fleas and the county's typhus record

Los Angeles County Public Health, which covers South Pasadena, reported a record 220 flea-borne typhus cases county-wide in 2025. Fleas that spread the disease travel on rats and opossums, which often shelter under raised porches and in the crawl spaces common in older homes.

Rodent work here therefore includes the ground level as well as the roof: screening foundation vents, closing gaps under porches and removing nesting material. Pairing that with pet flea control, as the county recommends, lowers the chance of fleas moving indoors.

Sources: [15][14]

Signs you need rodent control in South Pasadena

Footsteps overhead after dark

Quick scurrying in the attic or along the eaves, usually at night.

Droppings near insulation or boxes

Dark, pointed droppings about half an inch long in the attic, garage or storage areas.

Gnawed fruit and nut shells

Citrus hollowed out on the branch or shells collecting in the attic.

Greasy smudges on wood

Dark rub marks where rats repeatedly squeeze past rafters or vent edges.

How we handle rodent control in South Pasadena

1. Roofline-to-crawl-space survey

We trace how rodents are getting in, from overhanging branches and eaves down to vents, the crawl space and the garage.

  • Map of branch-to-roof crossings
  • Eave, rafter-bay and vent check
  • Crawl space and porch foundation check
  • Photo report of every opening

2. Trap and close the openings

Snap traps in protected spots for rodents already inside, plus exclusion with steel mesh and metal fitted to the existing structure.

  • Galvanized mesh on vents and rafter bays
  • Sealing of utility and plumbing gaps
  • Traps placed out of reach of kids and pets
  • Trap checks until captures stop

3. Sanitize and confirm

Removal of droppings and nesting material, sanitizing of affected areas and a check that no new activity appears.

  • Droppings and nest removal
  • Sanitizing of affected surfaces
  • Exterior monitoring
  • Follow-up inspection

Pest reports in and around South Pasadena

Public-health notices, vector-control alerts and local news we track for this area. Summaries are ours; follow each link for the original report.

· San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District

Mosquito Control Officials Confirm First West Nile Virus Activity in Los Angeles County for 2021

The district's lab confirmed West Nile virus in a dead crow collected in South Pasadena, the first evidence of the virus in Los Angeles County in 2021.

Read the original

· NBC Los Angeles

West Nile Virus Detected in Dead Crow Found in South Pasadena

Reports the South Pasadena crow finding and notes the virus is detected every year, mosquitoes are most active May to October, and about one in five infected people develop symptoms.

Read the original

· San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District

West Nile Virus Activity 2021

Season tally listing South Pasadena with 11 West Nile–positive mosquito samples (first on July 19) and 4 positive dead birds (first on June 7).

Read the original

· San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District

West Nile Virus Activity 2022

South Pasadena again recorded 11 positive mosquito samples, the first on July 1, plus one positive dead bird on August 1.

Read the original

· California Department of Public Health

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes — Detections by County/City

The state's detection table marks both invasive Aedes species as present in South Pasadena.

Read the original

· The South Pasadenan

Invasive Mosquitoes Pose New Threat to South Pasadena

The vector control district warned that day-biting Aedes mosquitoes were establishing locally, can breed in a bottle cap of water, and urged a weekly ten-minute yard check.

Read the original

· Los Angeles County Department of Public Health · regional

Public Health Reports All-Time High of Flea-Borne Typhus Cases

The county counted 220 flea-borne typhus cases in 2025, up from 187 in 2024, with most patients hospitalized; it recommends year-round pet flea control and sealing wildlife out from under homes.

Read the original

Rodent Control in South Pasadena: common questions

More pest control in South Pasadena

Bed Bug Treatment in South Pasadena

In a city where most households rent and many buildings share walls, one infested unit can quietly become several. We confirm bed bugs before treating, cover every life stage and come back to make sure they are gone.

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Cockroach Treatment in South Pasadena

Whether it's small German roaches behind an apartment stove or a large American roach climbing out of an old tub drain, the fix depends on the species and where it lives. We identify it first, then treat the hiding places directly.

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Rodent Control near South Pasadena

Sources

  1. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “Mosquito Control Officials Confirm First West Nile Virus Activity in Los Angeles County for 2021” (2021-06-07). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/2021-06-07-mosquito-control-officials-confirm-first-west-nile-virus-activity-in-los-angeles-county-for-2021
  2. NBC Los Angeles, “West Nile Virus Detected in Dead Crow Found in South Pasadena” (2021-06-07). https://nbclosangeles.com/news/local/west-nile-virus-detected-in-dead-crow-found-in-south-pasadena/2611805
  3. The South Pasadenan, “West Nile Virus Confirmed in Dead Crow, South Pasadena” (2021-06-15). https://southpasadenan.com/west-nile-virus-confirmed-in-dead-crow-south-pasadena/
  4. The South Pasadenan, “Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in South Pasadena” (2017-09-14). https://southpasadenan.com/bird-tests-positive-for-west-nile-virus-in-south-pasadena/
  5. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “West Nile Virus Activity 2021” (2021-10-22). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2021
  6. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “West Nile Virus Activity 2022” (2022). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2022
  7. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “West Nile Virus Activity 2023” (2023). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2023
  8. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “West Nile Virus Activity 2024” (2024). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2024
  9. San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District, “West Nile Virus Activity 2025” (2025-11-24). https://sgvmosquito.specialdistrict.org/west-nile-virus-activity-2025
  10. California Department of Public Health, “Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes — Detections by County/City” (2026-05-01). https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/AedesDetectionsByCountyCity.aspx
  11. The South Pasadenan, “Invasive Mosquitoes Pose New Threat to South Pasadena” (2019-06-21). https://southpasadenan.com/invasive-mosquitoes-pose-new-threat-to-south-pasadena/
  12. The South Pasadenan, “South Pasadena Joins Regional Vector Control District” (2018-06-27). https://southpasadenan.com/?p=16019
  13. The South Pasadenan, “City Honored for Mosquito Prevention Practices” (2020-03-09). https://southpasadenan.com/city-honored-for-mosquito-prevention-practices/
  14. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, “Public Health Reports All-Time High of Flea-Borne Typhus Cases” (2026-04-02). https://lacounty.gov/2026/04/02/public-health-reports-all-time-high-of-flea-borne-typhus-cases/
  15. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health — Environmental Health, “Vending Machines in Los Angeles County — Area We Serve” (2026-10-21). https://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/business/vending-machines.htm
  16. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (via Census Reporter), “South Pasadena city, CA — ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates” (2024). https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US0673220-south-pasadena-ca/
  17. City of South Pasadena (hosted by the Los Angeles Conservancy), “Design Guidelines for Historic Residences” (2009-01). https://www.laconservancy.org/sites/default/files/community_documents/Design%20Guidelines%20for%20Historic%20Residences%2C%202009.pdf
  18. SoCal Landmarks, “South Pasadena Historic Districts” (2022-11-22). https://socallandmarks.com/index.php/2022/11/22/south-pasadena-historic-districts
  19. The South Pasadenan, “Two Celebrations of Trees January 24, 2019 at South Pasadena Public Library” (2019-01-24). https://southpasadenan.com/two-celebrations-of-trees-january-24-2019-at-south-pasadena-public-library/
  20. Weekend Sherpa, “Take an Urban Tree Walk Through South Pasadena” (2026-03-18). https://www.weekendsherpa.com/stories/take-an-urban-tree-walk-through-south-pasadena/
  21. Wikipedia, “South Pasadena, California” (2026-10-21). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pasadena,_California
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