Whether they are called roof rats, black rats or ship rats, these rodents are bad news for property owners in Yardley. These agile animals like to nest in the upper reaches of buildings, and they forage for food in kitchens and dining areas.
Roof rats come indoors in search of basic necessities such as food and shelter. People sometimes make it easy for the rodents to come inside by leaving cracks in foundations, gaps beneath doors and vent openings that are uncovered. Of course, roof rats do not always nest indoors. Overgrown landscaping, woodpiles and outdoor clutter all make excellent nesting habitat.
When people hear the sounds of tiny feet scurrying in the attic, chances are good that roof rats are on the prowl. Although these animals are nocturnal, they leave behind plenty of signs of their activity. Droppings, footprints, nests and gnaw marks on furniture and food packaging are all common signs that roof rats are infesting the building.
Controlling roof rat infestations is not easy. These pests will not move out on their own now that they have gotten comfortable. Accordingly, it is essential for property owners to hire a pest management professional to resolve the problem. Specialists in this field can prevent the animals from entering a building and use specialized products that can put an end to roof rat infestations.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS LOOK LIKE?
Roof rats frequently are mistaken for their cousins, the Norway rats. However, roof rats tend to be smaller and more agile than the bulky Norway rats.
With a tail that is longer than the combined length of the head and body, the roof rat's appearance is distinctive. Body lengths of eight inches are fairly common. When the tail is added to the overall length, the animal may measure 16 inches. That tail is covered in scales rather than fur, and the hair on the body usually is smooth and either black or brown in color. The muzzle is pointed and the eyes and ears are large.
WHAT DO ROOF RATS EAT?
When they live in orchards for fruit and nut crops, these rodents cause incredible amounts of damage. Similarly, roof rats will wreak havoc in home gardens and produce crops. This may make it sound as if roof rats are mainly vegetarians, but reality is more complicated.
Roof rats actually are omnivorous, which means that they can eat just about anything. They do prefer fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts when these items are available, but they also feast on insects, including cockroaches. Snails and slugs can form a large part of their diets, and members of the species that live near water are known to eat an array of fish and other aquatic life.
Given their omnivorous eating habits, roof rats do especially well in human habitations. They will seek out even the smallest crumbs of bread for a snack. In pantries and kitchens, they contaminate baked goods, seeds, nuts, peanut butter, grains, meat, pet food and anything else that is not stored in pest-proof containers.
WHERE DO ROOF RATS LIVE?
As their common name suggests, these rodents have a distinctive preference for nesting in elevated places. Outdoors, a tall tree may be the perfect place to raise a family. Indoor nests are likely to be found in attics, eaves, above ceilings and in wall voids.
However, roof rats are not always terribly picky about where they nest. Some will make themselves at home under a large shrub or plant, within dense vegetation or inside piles of wood or yard debris. Storage boxes and other containers similarly can be perfect places to nest, especially if they are made of cardboard or another material that is easy to gnaw through.
Any rooms that are cluttered and rarely disturbed may look enticing to roof rats. This means that it is wise to keep storage rooms, garages and sheds neat and tidy. Frequent cleaning is recommended.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROOF RATS
Property owners sometimes are shocked to learn that roof rats actually can cause fires in buildings. Among many other things, roof rats chew on electrical wires, which strips away the outer coverings on the wires. With the wires exposed, there is a risk that they will contact insulation or other materials that may cause a spark to ignite.
Tooth and claw marks on various surfaces around the property are more common types of damage that are associated with roof rat infestations in Yardley. The rodents utilize their teeth and claws to enlarge vulnerabilities in the building's exterior to make entering and exiting easier. Teeth are used everywhere in the building as the rodents create well-used foraging pathways. In addition to contaminating food, the animals cause damage to furniture, linens, books, documents and other ordinary items.
ARE ROOF RATS AGGRESSIVE?
These animals do have a tendency toward aggression, particularly if they feel that they are being threatened. It is never recommended for people to try to confront or otherwise force a physical encounter with a roof rat. Doing so may lead to a serious injury and the transmission of a disease.
DO ROOF RATS CARRY DISEASE?
Members of this species may carry a broad range of illnesses that can be passed on to people. Some of these are transmitted through physical contact, but sometimes simply being in an infested building is enough to make people sick.
Rabies is a real threat when people and roof rats are in close proximity. Frequently, cases of salmonella and dysentery arise in buildings where food has become contaminated. Most roof rats are infested with fleas, and these parasites also may spread diseases to people.
Whether through their saliva, waste products or physical contact, roof rats can make people dangerously ill.
HOW TO DETECT ROOF RATS
Signs of a roof rat infestation include:
• Unusual noises are heard behind walls or above ceilings • Pets exhibit odd behavior that may be caused by the presence of rodents • Rat droppings are found anywhere indoors • People report visual sightings
HOW TO PREVENT ROOF RATS
To help prevent roof rat issues the following steps should be taken:
• Refrain from leaving pet food outdoors • Make pet food available only at mealtimes • Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids • Regularly clean garbage cans to remove traces of food • Do not permit branches to touch the roof or exterior walls • Keep lawns and foliage trimmed • Eliminate wood and yard debris piles • Get rid of clutter in indoor and outdoor spaces • Routinely clean and rearrange storage rooms • Use air-tight plastic cartons for storage • Switch to pest-proof food storage containers
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.
