With its distinctive, furry tail, the wood rat is a well-known pest. Levittown homes and businesses typically seek the services of an experienced exterminator due to these large rodents having established a nest on their property.
Sometimes called the packrat, this species is known for collecting an odd assortment of items to bring back to its nest. This may include natural debris that is lying around the yard as well as shiny objects that the animal may come upon while foraging.
A female wood rat may produce between one and four litters each year, with two to four pups in each litter. The babies reach sexual maturity at two to three months of age. Accordingly, it is clear that a wood rat problem never consists of just one or two individuals but instead may encompass a large and continuously growing family.
This makes the need for professional pest control imperative. Quick action ensures that the property's human occupants are less likely to be exposed to illness and that any damage caused by the wood rat population can be minimized.
WHAT DO WOOD RATS LOOK LIKE?
Adult wood rats typically have a body length of about seven inches. Their tails may reach a maximum of seven inches as well, with the tail typically being shorter than the body and covered in hair.
Coloration ranges from brown to gray to black, with the fur being fine, soft and long. The thick, rounded body of the wood rat is distinctly reminiscent of a hamster, though members of this pest species are much larger.
wood rats also may be identified by their bulging black eyes or the piles of one-half-inch long, oval-shaped droppings that they leave behind.
WHAT DO WOOD RATS EAT?
In the wild, wood rats eat natural items like twigs, berries, nuts, seeds and random vegetation. They also may consume insects, birds and small mammals.
Because they eat a variety of plant- and animal-based items, they do particularly well when foraging in kitchens. The species may be drawn to fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, baked goods, peanut butter, meat and many other edible items. Similarly, pet food frequently is exploited by the species.
WHERE DO WOOD RATS LIVE?
The more than 20 species of wood rats are widely distributed across North America and even as far south as Central America. Consequently, they can survive in a wide range of environments including mountains, desert plateaus and forests to name a few.
The species shows a preference for nesting outdoors even when a human habitation is nearby. Nonetheless, nests may be discovered adjacent to or within a house, garage, shed or other man-made structure.
wood rats may build a nest with sticks in a brushy or cluttered area. These nests may be found near the base of a tree or within a wood pile. Other likely nesting sites include ceiling voids, soffits, attics, wall voids and outbuildings.
Females of the species tend to build larger, more elaborate nests in which to raise their young. Males are more likely to build smaller, simpler nests that they may only occupy for a short time. Female wood rat nests can become huge, making them easy to spot on the property.
This is especially true because of the wood rat's habit of hoarding. They may "steal" small, shiny objects from the property's human inhabitants and keep those items in a special room in the nest.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WOOD RATS
The wood rat's habit of collecting items from people is well known. They are especially fond of taking small bits of glass, metal cans, jewelry, mirrors and coins. More than one person has lost a car key or a wedding ring thanks to this ingrained behavior.
Wood rats frequently drop whatever they are currently carrying in favor of a new shiny object that catches their eye. Thus, a berry or a twig may be traded for a car key. It is this behavior that earns the species another name, "traderat."
It can be extremely frustrating to lose small, potentially important or valuable objects to an acquisitive wood rat. Even more frustrating are the gnaw marks that this species leaves behind.
Like many rodents, wood rats are inclined to chew on things like floor joists, wooden building frames, wall studs, cardboard boxes, books, documents and linens. The damage can become quite extensive, and these rodents may enlarge holes in a building's exterior so that they may gain access to the interior.
It also is worth noting that a large wood rat population is capable of leaving an astounding number of droppings around the property. A single adult may produce between 40 and 50 droppings each day. This can become an unsanitary problem, especially when these rodents make their way indoors.
ARE WOOD RATS AGGRESSIVE?
In general, wood rats prefer to avoid contact with humans, but this does not mean that they will not react with aggression when confronted. A cornered wood rat will use its teeth and claws to try to get away. Any wounds received in such an attack must be examined by a doctor.
DO WOOD RATS CARRY DISEASE?
As with other rodents, wood rats are capable of spreading illnesses in a variety of ways. Their bites and scratches may transmit rat-bite fever. People who suspect that they have been bitten or scratched by a wood rat and develop symptoms such as vomiting, fever, headache, joint swelling, rash and muscle pain may be showing the signs of this disease.
People who inadvertently come into contact with wood rat urine or droppings are in danger for developing leptospirosis. Abdominal pain, red eyes, a high fever, chills, headache, vomiting and jaundice all are symptoms of this disease, which can cause damage to the kidneys and liver.
wood rat urine and saliva further may spread lymphocytic choriomeningitis. This viral infectious disease has early symptoms like malaise, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
These rodents also may be infested with fleas or ticks that may spread illnesses, such as the plague.
HOW TO DETECT WOOD RATS
Signs of a wood rat issue include:
• Half-inch long, oval-shaped droppings found on the property • Gnaw marks found on various surfaces in and around the home • Small, shiny objects mysteriously missing • Visual sightings of rodents
HOW TO PREVENT WOOD RATS
To help prevent against a wood rat infestation the following steps should be taken:
• Clear away clutter indoors and out • Place wood piles and yard debris piles at least 20 feet away from structures • Ensure that all holes and cracks in building exteriors are sealed • Store food in glass or metal containers • Do not allow dirty dishes to accumulate in the sink • Clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen
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.
