Pest Library

Roof Rats

Roof rats (or black rats) are common rodents that work to find consistent food sources and water, making homes and barns perfect habits for them. These agile pests can be illusive, widespread nesters, and dangerous to humans due to the diseases they can carry.

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Roof rats (or black rats) are common rodents that work to find consistent food sources and water, making homes and barns perfect habits for them. These agile pests can be illusive, widespread nesters, and dangerous to humans due to the diseases they can carry.

Characteristics

Roof rats range in color from black to gray or tan with lighter belly. Their tails are dark and longer than their combined head and body length.
Roof rats are brown with black mixed in, or sometimes gray to black on top with white and a gray or black underside. The head and body length of an adult roof rat is about 6 to 8 inches long and the tail length is 7 to 10 inches in length.

Harborage

Roof rats prefer areas of the ground and are good climbers. Roof rats prefer elevated nesting sites including attics, walls, roofs, the tops of palms and other trees, and vine-covered fences and walls. Roof rats generally enter buildings from overhanging trees or power lines.

Treatment

How we treat Roof Rats

For Roof rats, our experts use snap traps with various kinds of food and bait items. We set traps away from pets or children and make sure your family’s safety is prioritized. We work to discover the best and most effective locations for traps that will lead to their removal from your home and property. Roof rats are leery toward new things in their environment and it may take several days for traps to be effective.

Our pest experts take a tailored approach when treating your property and work to ensure that your concerns are addressed and your home is protected, inside and out. We’re dedicated to providing you with peace of mind and making sure you enjoy your home.

Related Pests

Roof Rats FAQ

What do roof rats look like?
Where do roof rats nest?
How do you trap roof rats?
Do roof rats carry diseases?

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