Where Do Woodrats Nest & How to Get Rid of a Woodrat AKA Pack Rat Infestation in Weirsdale, FL

The Woodrat, or better known as a Pack Rat, is a fascinating pest. Woodrats became known as a pack rat due to their odd habit of stealing and hoarding the shiny items they find. Sometime they will take keys, watches, silverware and jewelry. The reasons why pack rats like to collect shiny items do vary, but one consistent observation is that pack rats are intelligent and requires stimulation. Regardless as to this little quirk in the pack rat’s personality, they not only steal precious valuables, they also can cause damage to homes and electrical and plumbing systems.

Where Do Woodrats Live & Nest?

Woodrats or pack rats usually live in dens down in the ground. Their dens can measure from 3 to 5 feet in diameter. Woodrats live by themselves most of their lives and only interact with others during mating or when rearing their pups. When the woodrats dig their dens, they will do so near trees or in between the crevices of rocks, and near a food source. Woodrats feed on plants and vegetable gardens and can destroy both. However even though the woodrat or pack rat prefers life outside, they do invade homes in search of food and other resources.

Signs of Pack Rat Infestations

Signs that a pack rat is in your home can vary from damage to stolen items. Pack rats are very vocal. Often you may hear them at night when they are most active. Pack rats will often invade homes for nesting materials along with food and water, and of course, to expand their wonderful collections. Pack rats are active at night making seeing them difficult. In turn it is often difficult to know if you have an intruder lurking inside your home. Pack rats, along with other species, do leave signs of their presence such as chewing and scratching on walls, pipes and electrical wiring. Pack rats are drawn toward HVAC and mechanical wiring and even chew on the wiring system of vehicles. Oddly, pack rats have even been found to nest inside vehicles that have been abandoned or not used frequently. Additionally, pack rats can become especially destructive on furniture. Pack rats love soft materials for their nests, and are often found chewing up upholstery. If they get into your pantry, they can infect and spoil food and leave behind diseases.

Pack Rat Prevention

When signs of pack rats are in your home or yard, you will want to seek the aid of a pest control company to help eliminate the problem. However there are some steps you as the homeowner can take to help reduce a pack rat intrusion. Your first step is to remove a food source, especially within your home. Since pack rats will feed on vegetation it is impossible to completely remove all food sources. However, by sealing your home food storage is one step you can do to avoid exposing your groceries to intrusive rats. Where pack rats are destructive and can find uses for any item in your home, it is in your best interest to keep pack rats out. Check your home’s exterior for holes or areas that rats can use to get inside your home. Depending on the holes found will determine how you deal with them. For example vents are important and you don’t want to seal them up. However you can use metal mesh wiring to cover the vent, thus making it harder for rats to use.

Rodent Control & Removal

If you need help trapping and removing rats and other rodents, especially during this coming winter season when rodent activity gets worse, contact Pest 911 today.