Where Do Roof Rats Live & How to Get Rid of Rodents in Your Weirsdale, FL House & Yard

Rats have plagued man for centuries. Where some people keep them as pets, wild rats can present a number of problems if they are introduced to your living space. There are quite a few species found in the country, and some areas are more prone to the different types of rats than others. To minimize invasions and help you know a roof rat when you see it, we at Pest 911 would like to offer some preventative maintenance and brief information concerning roof rats. Below is some tips and advice on what you can do to help keep the roof rats out of your business or home, following the standard steps, we have included some identifiable information concerning roof rats as well as some traits.

Roof Rat Identification

With the tail adding an extra 7” to 10”, the roof rat, from muzzle to hind measures 6-8 inches on average and they typically weigh between 5 to 12 ounces. There soft and smooth fur is usually a blend of black and brown, though they also have variations of gray, whites, and blacks. They have pointy muzzles and their fur is sparse around the ears, and they have a larger pair of eyes.

Behavior of Roof Rats

Roof rats have remarkable agility and incredible talents for climbing, which they use to traverse rooftops and power lines. More often than not, they wonder inside due to a weak area on the roof. Once inside, the prefer to remain high, settling in on top areas of cabinets, behind the walls or attic spaces, as well as areas just above ceilings. Outside, they tend to stick to above-ground nesting sites such as in the trees or in other dense foliage.

Where Do Roof Rats Live?

Though they are heavily concentrated in the southern states, especially near seaports, roof rats can be found nearly anywhere in the country. If they look to break in beside opportunity, it is typically due to scarce food and water supplies, or to escape cooler temperatures or predators. These rats can easily intrude your home or business any time of year, however, fall is the most common due to the water sources and food sources depleting. Once inside, they quickly reproduce and a serious infestation can cause severe damage to the structure, utility lines, as well as spread potential diseases they commonly carry.

How to Stop Roof Rats from Getting Under Roof Tiles & Entering Your House

Roof rats are so named for their fondness of heights and hang out in the trees and will skitter the low ground looking for food. To help make your home less welcoming, be sure the tree branches that hang over the roof are pruned, and the bushes and grass are trimmed regularly. Seal the home with right applications of caulk, weather stripping and mesh covers. Remove convenient water sources by repairing leaky plumbing fixtures and pipes. Repair the roof if there is any missing, damaged, or loose roof shingles and ensure a chimney has a tight-fitting cap. Make certain outdoor trash bins are kept away from the structure and are secure with pest-proof lids. Also, make certain any human or pet food packaged in cardboard, flimsy plastic, or paper is transferred to air-tight sealable containers.

Rodent Control

If you suspect roof rats, contact Pest 911 and let our certified specialists eliminate the infestation quickly and efficiently.