Also known as ship rats or black rats, roof rats are a common rat species in the Bucks County region. The roof rat name is derived from their habit of nesting in the upper areas of buildings.
Roof rats are infamous for their propensity to damage construction materials. Moreover, they spread dangerous contamination in foods that are intended for human consumption, and they are known vectors of potentially life-threatening illnesses.
Ending an infestation of these pests tends to be far more complicated than most homeowners realize. This is why it is wise to request assistance from a professional exterminator.
WHAT DO WHAT DO ROOF RATS LOOK LIKE?
Roof rats have long, slender bodies and oversized ears and eyes. Their tails are scaly, and their noses are pointed. Covered with brown and black fur that is smooth and soft, roof rats typically measure between six and eight inches in length while their tails may measure between seven and 10 inches. Adults of the species weigh between five and nine ounces, though specimens weighing 12 ounces have been found.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS EAT?
Roof rats are classified as omnivorous, which means that they are opportunistic feeders that can survive on just about anything. When available, they appear to prefer to eat berries, fruits, nuts and seeds. They also will eat snails and slugs, and these creatures can form a large part of the roof rat's diet.
Insects like cockroaches frequently are on the menu, and when these rodents live close to water, they are known to eat a variety of aquatic organisms including shellfish and fish.
Roof rats are largely nocturnal, and they generally eat at dusk and just before dawn. Nonetheless, they may forage throughout the night and even during the day when the local roof rat population is particularly dense. The species hoards food, especially supplies of seeds and nuts.
WHERE DO ROOF RATS LIVE?
When they nest in the wild, roof rats choose areas that offer dense cover and plenty of shrubbery or vine-covered trees. Nests have been discovered among the thick vegetation that may grow over utility lines and fences and within woodpiles. Other likely locations include high up in trees or within piles of trash. It is not unusual for roof rats to come into human habitations seeking a place to nest. Homes that have tree limbs that extend over the roof are particularly vulnerable. When they come indoors, roof rats are likely to nest in rafters and attics or within soffits or wall voids.
Roof rats create unsanitary conditions within human homes by leaving their waste products in a variety of places. Many people who are living with infestations are plagued by terrible odors and the need to frequently throw away food. Homeowners also are at risk for getting ill from the diseases that roof rats commonly spread.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROOF RATS
Unfortunately, roof rats are among the most destructive of all pests that are common in the Bucks County area. The damage they cause ranges from gnaw marks and holes to shredded textiles. Siding, wooden frames, sheetrock and roofing tiles are just a few examples of the construction materials that roof rats will chew through.
Additionally, these rodents will bite through all sorts of electrical wiring and cords, causing outages and fires. Plumbing pipes also may be damaged by rodent's teeth, leading to leaks. Insulation, books, upholstered furniture, towels, sheets and clothing all may be shredded by the rat's teeth and claws.
Roof rats further are responsible for leaving behind large amounts of urine and feces, exposure to which may make people sick.
ARE ROOF RATS AGGRESSIVE?
In general, roof rats prefer to avoid confrontations with people. When such encounters do occur, it is not unusual for these rodents to react with aggression. People may be bitten or scratched if they corner a roof rat, whether accidentally or intentionally. Such wounds may be extremely dangerous to human health and must be examined by a doctor.
Bites are not always provoked by a cornered animal. Occasionally, bites occur when a small child or an old person goes to sleep with traces of food around their mouths or hands. As the rats seek a meal, they may inadvertently bite the sleeping individual.
DO ROOF RATS CARRY DISEASE?
Roof rats are widely recognized as a significant health hazard. Among the illnesses that they spread are salmonellosis, which commonly causes food poisoning, as well as rat-bite fever and leptospirosis. Additional diseases that are spread by roof rats include trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, plague and murine typhus.
Moreover, roof rats frequently carry ectoparasistes that may be hazardous to human health. These fleas and ticks may transmit illnesses not only to people but also to family pets.
If homeowners suspect that they have some kind of rodent infestation and there are mysterious illnesses and symptoms among the home's occupants, then it is wise to have those symptoms checked by a physician. Some common symptoms that people may experience include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Before the home is safe and sanitary, it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect every surface with which the rats may have had contact. Otherwise, the home's human occupants may see a resurgence in their symptoms.
HOW TO DETECT ROOF RATS
Signs that indicate the presence of roof rats include:
• Seeing rats in and around the home • Dead rats discovered on the property • The presence of rat droppings with pointed ends • Gnaw marks discovered on a variety of surfaces • Nests found in attics, wall voids or rafters • Greasy rub marks found on walls
HOW TO PREVENT ROOF RATS
To help avoid roof rat issues the following precautions are taken:
• Do not allow vines to climb the outside of structures • Do not allow tree limbs to hang over the roof • Trim trees and shrubs so that they do not touch the home's exterior • Store woodpiles and yard debris piles at least 20 feet away from building exteriors • Keep garbage cans clean and ensure that they have tight lids • Put pet food out only at meal times • Clean up spills and crumbs immediately after they happen • Store food in metal or glass containers with tight lids • Identify any holes or cracks in building exteriors and cover them
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
