Where Do Black Roof Rats Live During the Day in Ocala, FL Homes? Possibly Your Attic, Walls, Garage & Yard!

The black rat (Rattus rattus) is also commonly known as the roof rat, ship rat, house rat or old English rat originated in tropical Asia and spread though the near East before moving in large numbers on ships traveling through Europe and the rest of the world. The black rat is considered an omnivore and can be a serious pest that is capable of spreading disease and causing property damage when they gain access to homes and other structures.

Where Do Roof Rats Live During the Day & Other Facts

The roof rat is typically black or brown in color and can grow to over 15 inches in length with smooth fur, a long tail, large eyes and ears and a long pointed nose. The roof rat has excellent climbing abilities and can often be found in rafters, hence the name roof rat. The roof rat will also nest inside buildings, in piles of trash or wood and can adapt well to any environment although they prefer to live in places high off the ground. They are nocturnal and can be found in trees as well as attics and roofs, but if necessary they will build nests on ground level. The roof rat prefers a diet that consists of fruit and nuts but will feed on anything that they can find including tree bark, meat and grains. The roof rat is an accomplished thief who will steal food items and stash them away to be consumed at a later date.

Reproduction & Social Behaviors of the Roof Rat

The male roof rat becomes sexually mature between the age of two and five months and will typically breed as many as four to six litters a year which will consist of six to eight young per litter. The average lifespan of the roof rat is approximately one year. The female roof rat is capable of breeding year round and can give birth to as many as 40 offspring annually. In large groups, the roof rat will establish a hierarchy where the dominant males will mate more often than their subordinates.

Signs of a Roof Rat Infestation in your House or Business

Other than visual sightings of roof rats, rodent droppings are the next most obvious indication that you have a rodent problem. Roof rat droppings are typically 1/8th of an inch long with pointed ends. Other indications of a rodent problem include grease marks along surfaces including base boards caused the by oils in their fur which are deposited when the rat travels back and forth from the nest looking for food. Indoor nests can often be located in the insulation found within your attic. Roof rats and other rodents can cause damage when they gnaw on electric wires resulting in fires that are responsible for millions of dollars in structural damage each year.

Diseases Transmitted by Roof Rats

Roof rats are known carriers of disease which can be transmitted through physical contact such as bites or by contamination of fleas that have been feeding on the rodent. Bubonic plague for example was responsible for the deaths of millions during the middle ages. There are still outbreaks of the plague in the United States and throughout the world today. Other diseases spread by rodents include food poisoning such as Salmonellosis which can occur when food and food preparation surfaces are contaminated. Rats are also responsible for the transmission of rat bite fever caused by bacteria found in the rat’s mouths.

Rodent Control Services

If you are concerned about rodents and the spread of disease in and around your Ocala, Florida home, contact your Pest 911 rodent control professional immediately for a full inspection, evaluation, removal, control and exclusion plan to rid your home of rodents and keep you and your family safe from the threat of disease.