Roof Rat Facts And Getting Rid Of  Roof Rats In Arizona

As the name would suggest, roof rats look to build their nests in the elevated area of the home (or natural environment). They are generally smaller than the other common rat species, the Norway rat, and the two usually inhibit the same areas. Roof rats can pose serious health hazards to a building’s inhabitants, and they can be extremely destructive. Here are some facts that you should know about these rodents:

Facts and FAQ’S

Roof rats are also known as black rats or ship rats, and their scientific name is Rattus rattus. In terms of appearance, they can reach lengths of up to 18 inches, half of which are taken up by the tail. They can be either black or brown in coloration and their underbelly is usually of a lighter color. Compared to Norway rats, the roof rat is smaller.

The roof rat will usually live in tall shrubs and trees when it is outdoors, and when it is indoors, it will choose to make its nests inside walls, cabinets and attics. This rat is attracted to a range of buildings, including single family and multi-family homes, food service and processing facilities, medical facilities, farms, stables and kennels.

Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions:

Q: Why are the roof rats in my building?

Roof rats will look for indoor locations all year-round, and if they can find food sources and an adequate nesting location, they will move in.

Q: Should I treat the infestation?

Roof rats are dangerous pests and treating a roof rat infestation is essential. They not only carry diseases, but they also cause destruction within the home.

Q: How do you treat a roof rat infestation?

In order to treat a roof rat infestation, you will likely need the help of a professional, especially if the colony has had time to grow. The infestation can be treated either with rodenticides, or traps. Each approach has its upsides and downsides, with rodenticides being faster, but the problem is that the rats may die in a hard to reach area, so removing the corpse is harder.

If you currently have an infestation, and you’ve tried to tackle it yourself with not a lot of success, we can help you out. Contact us today, and we will inspect your property, diagnose the severity of the infestation, and then proceed to remove the roof rat population from your home quickly and safely.