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Hi Hans,
I made a living out of removing rats, birds and possums from roof cavities for 17 years.
There are many half informed pest controllers in the industry. Many a time it has happened that a pest control tech has identified rats present in the roof cavity. But failed to recognise that a possum was also present.
Possums sleep in the roof during daylight. They exit during the 1-2 hours after sunset. They generally are quiet on exit and do not re-enter until 1-2 hours before sunrise.
On re-entry they are quite noisy stomping on the ceiling.
I assume the above behaviour is attributable to them suspecting there is something outside waiting to eat them and therefore are quietly cautious. However on return, they know its safe and throw caution to the wind.
When a possum is inadvertantly baited it will die in the roof cavity. It smells for many months. I have removed many and it is not pleasant but customers are happy to pay big fees.
Possums are rarely noisy in the roof between aprox 9 PM and 3 AM. Except when an intruder possum enters. Then there is much deep guteral growling and screeching, the fur flies and its quite scary to the uninitiated.
Rats on the other hand are very different. The levels and frequency of noises rely heavily on how many are present.
little fast pitter patters, sometimes a squeek or two. It may start as early as 4 PM but usually 7 or 8 PM. It goes on throughout the night.
Rats have a pecking order. Tail end Charlie brings in a tasty morsel. King rat may chase it and take it. Thus the pitter patter and squeeks.
To get rid of rats alone is very easy. Talon pellets, two packets that contain four sub-packets. Total cost at Coles $15. After opening the sub-packet just enough to get a knife in, wipe a smear of peanut paste on the inside of each sub-packet. Its only for the smell, you're not feeding them. Throw the sub-packets into the ceiling void.
Wait 7 days and they will be gone.
3 days is not long enough. Your pest controller may be a newbie. Rats (rattus rattus or Roof Rat, Black Rat etc) are very timid and suspicious. In fact neophobic. scared of new things. It may take a few days for rats to become familiar enough with the baits before they eat. 3-4 days after that and they are for the big high jump. Again it is dependant on the rat population size and competition for food. If competition is fierce, they will dine soon after the baits are placed. Otherwise after a few days.
Rats are also a communal animal. A sick rat usually leaves the ceiling. To die away from the colony's home. There are exceptions and before you have a treatment done you must establish the pest controller's policy on, "Do they return to remove any smelly dead rats if it happens." (Which is seldom anyway)
Most say NO.
Hope this helps
Cheers
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