Have you ever wondered if there are different species of rats? Are they all the same? The answer is there are many different types of rats and they all come with their own set of inconveniences.
Read on to learn about roof rats and if you should worry about them invading your Alabama home.
The Roof Rat Vs. The Norway Rat
The Roofing System Rat (Rattus rattus Linnaeus), or Roof Rat is smaller sized than the more common Norway Rat but still just as fear-inducing.
Roofing rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears, a pointed nose, and a scaly tail. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is generally brown with intermixed areas of black. Their undersides are frequently white, gray, or black. Adult roofing system rats measure 6-8″ (16-20 cm) when integrating their head and body length.
This indicates that roofing system rats can determine more than 40 cm long. They typically weigh 5-9 ounces (150-250 g), however, they can grow up to 12 ounces (340 g).
The Roof rat likewise called a gray-bellied rat, white-bellied rat, Alexandrine rat, black rat, and ship rat is a master climber. Its origins go to the tree forests of Southeast Asia and are proficient for climbing vines, wires, and narrow ledges.
The fur of the Roof rat is smooth, while the fur of the Norway rat is rough and shaggy. The adult Roof rat is about 7-10 inches long and weighs about 5-9 ounces. The Roofing Rat has a long tail which is longer than the combined length of the head and body.
Roofing rats will consume smaller sized portions of food compared to Norway rats.
The Roof Rat Feces (droppings ) are spindle-shaped and reach about 1/2 inch in size. The Norway Rat’s droppings have a pill shape. Roofing rats will also make tunnels through insulation and will leave chew marks (wood, pipelines). The tail markings and hind feet markings of the Norway Rat and of the Roofing system Rat are hard to differentiate between each other.
Roofing system rats have actually pointed noses and large ears and are typically mistaken for Home Mice.
What Do Roof Rats Eat and How Do I Trap Them?
Roof rats will eat meat and grain, however, their preferences are fresh fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts. They will eat snails, slugs, and pests as well.
Naturally, they will feed in a number of different places, which will be an important technique when you bait and trap. They prefer to feed undercover and look for shelter when feeding.
Bait stations will supply a shelter that they prefer.
How Do Roof Rats Multiply?
Roof Rats end up being sexually fully grown in only a couple of months. Females end up being sexually fully grown in 68-90 days with 5-8 puppies per litter. They have 4-6 litters annually. Because the Roof Rat climbs well, typical nesting sites are above the ground.
Like squirrels, they enter houses and are found in attics. Thick greenery, lush landscapes, fruit trees, and pet dog areas will all bring in roof rats. They will also build globular leafy nests in trees and get in buildings by tree branches, and energy lines.
Be Patient When Trapping Roof Rats
Be patient in trapping and baiting. It might take a few days for them to get used to a new change in the environment and take the bait or get trapped. Peak times for Roof Rat activity is at dawn or sunset; they are nocturnal. If they are heard throughout the day, the population is bigger than you think it is.
Most importantly, seeing an actual rodent, dead or alive, is a dead giveaway of a potential roofing system rat issue. There are lots of crucial signs of a roof rat invasion in the home.
Pay Attention for Signs of a Roof Rat Infestation
Fresh roof rat droppings are soft and wet, whereas old droppings are hard and dried. The droppings typically measure about” (12-13 mm) and have actually pointed ends. Droppings from Norway rats are bigger measuring about” (18-20 mm) with blunt ends. The discovery of gnaw marks, damaged products, nests, or greasy rub marks also shows roof rat activity.
Just because the gaps are small doesn’t mean they can’t get in. Make sure to thoroughly inspect your property for vulnerabilities.
Efficient in squeezing into areas smaller than half an inch, these nocturnal critters enjoy nesting in trees, attics, roofing system lines, and ceilings, as they prefer living more than 4 feet off the ground where they construct leafy nests for their young. Infamously difficult to eliminate, roof rats protected their location in history by spreading out the bubonic plague that annihilated Europe in the Middle Ages.
Besides being providers of ectoparasites, these charming little purveyors of trouble also love chewing on wires in your house or automobile and will chomp on nearly anything to keep their incisors from growing. They can trigger structural damage by weakening the structures of buildings, roads, and pathways, and have been known to chew through plastic and lead pipes, doorframes, upholstery, and electrical wires.
Do Your Part to Prevent a Roof Rat Infestation
To make a perfect home, roof rats require food, water, and a relaxing nesting website, so tidy out wood stacks, rake up fallen plants and fruit, and do not leave pet food or water outside, particularly overnight. Keep trash bin securely secured, store bulk food in sealed, plastic containers and check for sources of standing water, since roofing system rats need an ounce of water a day.
Having a problem with roof rats? Contact Covenant Wildlife now so we can take care of the problem!
