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Actual Size: 13-15” long including the tail Characteristics: Slender. Typically grayish to dark gray to black. Habits: True to their name, they live and build nests off the ground by climbing canopies and vines.
Roof Rats in FloridaIn the U.S., roof rats are primarily restricted along the West Coast, the Southeast, and in the coastal states of Washington, Oregon, and California, where they are a relatively serious pest problem. Roof rats are commensal rodents, living near and dependent upon the human habitat for survival. When these rodents infest homes, they can be found in attics, eaves, and rooflines. The most common identifying characteristic of roof rats is their tail. Roof rat tails are hairless and longer than the combined length of their head and body, whereas the tails of other rats are hairy and shorter than their head and body. Roof Rat HabitatRoof rats prefer aerial harborages like tree canopies, dense shrubs, and climbing vines. These rats have pads on their feet to facilitate better climbing of narrow vines and limbs, and their tail also assists to balance when climbing high up off the ground. Roof rats generally begin searching for food shortly after sunset, using trees, utility lines, and fences to gain access to attics, overhead garage storage, woodpiles, and other stored goods. They are nocturnal and scurrying sounds in the attic at night are often the first sign of a roof rat infestation in homes. Roof Rat Behaviors, Threats, or DangersSalmonella, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever are among the dozens of diseases spread by roof rats. When foraging for food, roof rats contaminate food meant for humans, pets, and livestock. Roof rats are omnivores, eating both plants and animals, and are very fond of citrus fruit. They also favor pet food, pet feces, birdseed, meat, and grease, infesting storage sheds, and BBQs. Besides spreading disease, roof rats may cause extensive damage when nesting in walls and attics. Chewed, exposed wires inside walls can spark, causing interior walls to catch fire. If you have a roof rat infestation in your Florida property, always contact a licensed rodent control company. Need help with Roof rats?We'll call you! Leave your information below. Here in South Florida the rodent that frequently causes the most havoc is the roof rat. Roof rats are known by a variety of names including black rats, palm rats, fruit rats, ship rats, and Alexandrian rats. They got the name roof rat because they like to make their shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Their scientific name is Rattus rattus. They
originated in Southeast Asia but can now be found throughout the world. Coastal states and seaports frequently have a large number of roof rats. What Do Roof Rats Look Like?Roof rats are brown in color with black intermixed in their fur. Their underside is gray, white, or black. They are long and thin rodents. If you include their tail they measure around 16-18 inches long. Typically about half of their length is found in their tail. They weigh anywhere between 5 to 12 ounces. They have large eyes and ears, a pointed nose, and a scaly tail. Where Do Roof Rats Live?Roof rats here in Florida are the more the most active from September through March when citrus season is in full swing. They are nocturnal creatures. During the day they like to seclude themselves in dark places. They will build their nests in attics, cabinets, ceilings, garages, inside walls and sheetrock and laundry rooms if they come inside your home. If they live outside they will climb up trees and build nests above the ground. You can find them building their nests in trees, shrubs, wood piles, and dense vegetation. What Do Roof Rats Eat?Most roof rats like to eat meat scraps and high-protein foods but roof rats mainly eat nuts and fruits. Roof rats are hoarders and will gather food and store it in their nest to eat later. If they get hungry enough they will eat ornamental plants, dog and cat food, vegetables that are out in the garden, seeds, tree bark, insects, lizards, paper, and candle wax. They build their nests near water sources. If they can’t find a water source they will chew through plastic and metal pipes to get water. Roof Rat Damage & DiseasesMany rodents, roof rats included, have a constant need to chew to keep their incisor teeth from getting too long. This makes them very destructive. If they come into your home they will chew through pipes, duct work, electrical cords, and more. If they chew through or damage electrical wires you may run the risk of a house fire. You will want to watch for signs that roof rats are in your house. They leave droppings that are about 0.5 inches long. You may have gnawing or scratching noises in the attic or walls. You can spot them running on tree limbs, power lines, roofs, patios, and trees. If you have pets they may show signs of agitation and stress that is abnormal if there are roof rats on your property. Roof rats can transmit diseases to humans if they bite you as well as via their droppings, contamination and by fleas that are feeding on them. Rodent ControlIf you have signs of roof rats on your property you will want to take care of the problem immediately. Roof rats reproduce rapidly. Females can have up to three litters a year with each litter having five to eight babies. Call Southest Florida Pest Control today so that we can send someone out to come up with a plan for your roof rat problem. How do I get rid of rats in my roof in Florida?Speak to a pest control company about which traps are best for roof rats. You can either place rodenticide baits or traps. Some prefer not to use rodenticides in case their pet or children gain access to it. Snap traps are the traditional form of trapping and are still quite effective.
What is roof rats favorite food?Roof rats are omnivorous and willing to eat practically anything available to them. However, they prefer to feed on seeds, nuts, fruits and berries when in season. Additionally, they will feed on slugs and snails, which may become a large part of their diet.
What is the best bait to catch roof rats?Roof rats may be attracted to simple food scraps. Pieces of fruit and bacon are particularly effective in drawing roof rats toward traps. In addition, try putting the attractant out for a few days before setting the trap. This will get the rat used to eating at that location.
Do roof rats leave during the day?Roof rats are nocturnal animals, which means they are active during the nighttime and return to their daytime habitat as daybreak nears.
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What do florida roof rats eat
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