Sneaky Roof Rat

Sneaky rat roof rats without question the most common rat in florida is the roof rat.

Sneaky roof rat.

Its origins go to the tree forests of southeast asia and are adept for climbing vines wires and narrow ledges. Rats on the roof is never a good sign and while they may not be as noisy or as easy to spot as raccoons or larger animals spotting a rat on the roof is definitely a sign to be concerned about. Roof rats are a very common rat in north america that live in walls ceilings and attics. Their undersides are often white gray or black.

It seems as though we have roof rats everywhere. From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases. Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. Roof rats have smooth fur pointy noses and large dark eyes.

Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length. They re different than brown rats or norway rats which are more commonly known. Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases. Most species of rat look similar and it can be difficult to tell between a roof rat and the common norway rat but there are some telltale ways to distinguish between the two.

Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail. These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus. I always laugh when someone calls creepy creatures termite and pest control describing hearing scratching and chewing in the ceiling. The roof rat is smaller than a norway rat growing to be between 6 and 8 inches in body length with an additional 6 to 8 inches in the tail.

Roof rats also called black rats are one of the many rodents that might find their way inside your south carolina home this fall. Roof rats are smaller and darker. As its name indicates this rat is most likely to be found in higher places and upper levels of the home. Their fur is usually a grey or black color.

Thus traps should be placed off the ground in the attic rafters of the garage on shelves and ledges. These rats are omnivores eating foliage like seeds leaves and stems in addition to small prey like birds and insects. The roof rat also called gray bellied rat white bellied rat alexandrine rat black rat and ship rat. They are located in the coastal areas of the usa since they do not adapt well to cooler temperatures.

Roof rats are excellent climbers hence the name.