Roof Rats (Rattus Rattus)

The Roof rat is also known as the Black rat, House rat, Tree rat, and Ship rat. The Roof rat is a native of the forests of Southeast Asia.

The Roof rat is also known as the Black rat, House rat, Tree rat, and Ship rat. The Roof rat is a native of the forests of Southeast Asia.

Description and Characteristics

• Sleek and agile
• Weighs 5 to 10 oz.
• Has a pointed muzzle with large eyes and ears
• Has poor eyesight but its other senses, including smell, taste, and touch, are well developed
• Tail is longer than its body
• Averages 16 inches in length (head and tail)
• Color is black, brown, or grayish-brown
• Fecal droppings are about ½ inch (pointed ends) and can be as many as 25,000 per year.

Habits

Roof rats are very adaptive to a variety of environments. Like other rodents they live in colonies with an alpha male and prefer to nest in off-the-ground locations such as attics, roofs, and trees; they are arboreal in nature. They will use power and phone lines and tree branches as highways to gain access to structures.

Roof rats can long jump approximately 4 feet (with a running start) and jump straight up approximately 2 feet from a standing position. They can fall 50 feet and survive.

Roof rats can get into a home or business through a hole the size of a quarter or even a ½ inch gap. They can gnaw (chew) through most structures. Don't assume there is no way in.

Contrary to popular belief, rats are not truly nocturnal. Rats are more active when there is less danger, which is usually at night. Peak activity is shortly after dark and again prior to sunrise. They prefer to travel along walls and between objects in order to protect themselves from predators. A rat travels the same pathways hundreds of times in the course of a week. In time rodents memorize these runways though muscle movements called kinesthesia. When frightened, this ability allows them to race back to their nest at high speeds.

Diet

Roof rats are omnivorous and eat grains, nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, snails, meats, and pet food. They will eat approximately 0.5 to 1 oz. of food and need 1 to 2 oz. of water per day.

Reproduction

• Life span is 6 months to 1.5 years.
• Females can reach sexual maturity in 2 to 3 months.
• After mating, the baby pups will be born in 21 to 23 days.
• The average litter size is 6 to 12 pups.
• The average number of litters in a year is 3 to 6 but it could be higher.
• A single mating pair could produce around 1,800 rodents in one year.

Pest Control

Fighting off a rodent infestation takes a professional in most cases. Due to the rapid increase in a rodent population, a rodent problem needs to be taken seriously. Rodents can enter a home through very small areas and can breed, hide, and multiply better than most mammals. Look for droppings in garages, attics, basements, and under appliances.

If rodent activity is found, you might try a store-bought rodent poison. However, chances are a professional will be needed to solve a difficult rodent problem. Rodents carry disease and other parasites, causing serious health risks to people and their pets.

Prevent a rodent infestation before it becomes a problem for your family. Barrier specializes in comprehensive rodent control. Call today!