When homeowners are plagued by gnaw marks, droppings and grease marks around their property, then chances are good that roof rats are present. While these rodents may not be as large as other rats, they have a fierce reputation for aggression, spreading disease and causing property damage.
This species may be referred to as black rats or ship rats, but their roof rat nomenclature comes from their preference for nesting in the upper reaches of buildings. Accordingly, it can be difficult for most homeowners to locate roof rat nests and eliminate them.
The wisest course of action is to contact a knowledgeable pest management professional to handle the task. With their equipment and experience, they are able to seek out this elusive species so that infestations can be ended for good.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS LOOK LIKE?
With their oversized eyes and ears and long, slender bodies, roof rats are quite distinctive. Soft, smooth brown or black fur covers most of the body except for the scaly tail. Body length generally stretches from six to eight inches, but the tail may be an extra seven to 10 inches. Typically, adults weight about five to nine ounces, though larger specimens may be encountered.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS EAT?
Omnivorous roof rats can survive on almost anything. Seeds, nuts, fruits and berries are favorites of the species, but they are by no means required.
Other foods that roof rats eat include slugs, snails and cockroaches. When living close to bodies of water, aquatic organisms are eaten. These may include fish and shellfish.
Nocturnal roof rats do the majority of their eating at dusk or in the period before dawn. However, foraging activities may continue throughout the night, and when roof rat populations are particularly large, the species also may forage during the day.
Additionally, the species is known to hoard food like nuts and seeds for the winter.
WHERE DO ROOF RATS LIVE?
Roof rats prefer habitat that provides dense cover. Accordingly, they may choose to nest in vine-covered trees or in a place where brush and shrubs are dense. Woodpiles may provide a likely nesting site as do piles of trash. Nests similarly may be located in the upper branches of tall trees.
Roof rats frequently enter human habitations to look for a nesting site. Whenever tree limbs extend over a roof, it is likely that roof rats will use them to access a structure. If they do make their way indoors, their nests are most likely to be discovered in attics, rafters, wall voids or soffits.
When roof rats establish themselves in a home, they indiscriminately distribute their waste products. This means that the people in these homes are plagued by awful, inescapable odors. Because the roof rats infiltrate food supplies intended for people, this food must be thrown away.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROOF RATS
A roof rat infestation can be financially devastating because of all of the damage that it causes. Gnaw marks and holes may be found on the exterior of buildings and on a wide variety of items within the structure. Roofing tiles, siding, wooden window and door frames and sheetrock are just a few examples of the construction materials that roof rats damage.
Similarly, the species will shred papers, books, upholstery, linens and clothing to obtain nesting materials. Plumbing pipes may be chewed on and damaged, and electrical wiring and cords are vulnerable to this animal's teeth and claws. Occasionally, such damage causes power outages or even fires.
It also is worth noting that roof rats contaminate food that is intended for human or pet consumption. If contaminated foods are eaten, this can cause a serious illness.
ARE ROOF RATS AGGRESSIVE?
Thanks to their nocturnal behavior and tendency to nest in out-of-the-way places, confrontations between people and roof rats tend to be rare. Nonetheless, the chances of an altercation rise as the roof rat population grows and the animals are forced to become more active during the day.
This makes it more likely that a person may accidentally corner a rodent, leading to a nasty bite or scratch that must receive medical attention.
DO ROOF RATS CARRY DISEASE?
Ample scientific data demonstrate that roof rats are a serious threat to human health. Perhaps the most common illness that is spread by these rodents is salmonellosis, which is responsible for many cases of food poisoning in homes where infestations are occurring.
Additionally, roof rats are known to spread rat-bite fever and leptospirosis as well as murine typhus, plague, toxoplasmosis, and trichinosis.
It is critical to understand that roof rats usually carry ectoparasites that harm human health. Typically, these are fleas and ticks, which means that family pets as well as people may be made ill during an infestation. If unusual symptoms are being experienced in a home where a roof rat infestation is suspected, then it is imperative that homeowners not only call their doctor but also contact a licensed exterminator to help them address the problem.
Some symptoms to be on the lookout for include extreme fatigue, muscle aches, chills, fever, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
HOW TO DETECT ROOF RATS
Signs of a roof rat presence include:
• Grease marks on walls • Gnaw marks on interior and exterior surfaces • Shredded textiles • Nests located in rafters, attics or wall voids • Rat droppings with pointed ends • Dead rats on the property • Living rats spotted in the house
HOW TO PREVENT ROOF RATS
To help protect against roof rats the following precautions should be taken:
• Prevent tree limbs from contacting buildings • Find and cover any holes or cracks in the building's exterior • Place woodpiles and yard debris piles at least 20 feet from the house • Regularly clean garbage cans • Ensure that garbage can lids are tight • Eliminate standing water from the property • Use only glass or metal containers to store food • Do not keep food on kitchen counters • Immediately place dirty dishes in the dishwasher • Wipe up spills and crumbs immediately after they happen • Routinely vacuum floors to remove crumbs • Keep pet food stored except at meal times
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.
