Store pet food in sealed containers and do not leave it out at night The elimination of food and water through good sanitation practices can do much to reduce rodent infestation.Eliminate vines growing on buildings and, when feasible, overhanging tree limbs that may be used as travel routes.Rodent-proofing against Roof Rats usually requires more time to find entry points because of their greater climbing ability.Plug or seal all openings of greater than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter with concrete mortar, steel wool, or metal flashing.When rodent-proofing against Roof Rats, pay close attention to the roof and roof line areas to assure all accesses are closed.Look for holes in exterior walls and near hot water heaters, washers and dryers (dryer vent pipes) and sewer stacks on the roof.Use stucco diamond mesh to screen and seal all holes and vents leading to your home.Keep fruit from trees away from your roof remembering that rats can jump from trees to your roof.What can I do to keep Roof Rats out of my house? Roof Rats have been known to enter the sewer system through the roof vent pipes.

These rodents are fond of attics because they provide a safe refuge and a nesting place for their young.

They chew through wood, plastic, aluminum siding, and dry wall.

They follow pipes down from the attic, sneak through doggie doors, gnaw through drywall and enter kitchens, bathrooms or base sink cabinets.

Roof Rats frequently enter homes and garden sheds through any opening larger than a nickel.

Damage to plastics and covering on electrical wires.

Gnawing sounds and gnaw marks around roof eaves.

Noises in the attic and walls (especially at night).

What are common signs of Roof Rat activity? Although very rare, Roof Rats can enter a home’s plumbing system, most likely from the vent stack that protrudes from your roof. Roof Rats spend 90 percent of their life four feet or more off the ground.

They have been found in swimming pools, laundry rooms, attics, garages and patios, as well as on power lines. In buildings, they are most often found in enclosed or elevated spaces in attics, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets.

Roof Rats travel from trees to roofs or from accesses near overhead utility lines, which they use to travel from area to area. They usually weigh 5-9 ounces (150-250 g), but can grow up to 12 ounces (340 g). This means that Roof Rats can measure more than 40 cm long. Their tails are notably longer than their heads and bodies, measuring 7-10” (19-25 cm). Their undersides are often white, gray or black.Īdult Roof Rats measure 6-8” (16-20 cm) when combining their head and body length. Roof Rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. Roof Rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears, a pointed nose and a scaly tail. Roof Rats (Rattus rattus), sometimes called black rats, fruit rats or house rats, are aerial, very agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation such as ivy. Frequently Asked Questions What is a Roof Rat Vector Control officers can identify and test rat specimens to determine if you have Roof Rats. If you have Roof Rats, or have seen Roof Rats in your neighborhood, call the Maricopa County Environmental Complaint line at 602.506.6616 or log your complaint at. While Roof Rats are not native to Arizona, households in the Greater Phoenix area have reportedly seen an increase of this rodent species in the past few years.

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