Roof rats are slender and sleek rodents that range from 6 to 8 inches, not including the tail. Their tail adds another full body length—and then some. They need this long tail for balancing in high places, which is where roof rats like to live. They have large ears and eyes, which help them navigate in the darkness, making them perfectly suited for nocturnal activity. This species of rat has dark brown-to-black coloration, which gives it some protection from predators during nighttime exploration.
Roof rats are opportunistic feeders, eating food derived from plants and animals. Given the choice, what would it eat?
Preferred foods: Roof rats prefer to live on a diet of fruits, nuts, seeds, and berries. They’re often found raiding fruit trees, entering gardens, and accessing bird feeders.
Secondary foods: In nature, roof rats feed on tree bark, insects, and small animals when their preferred foods are scarce.
Human-associated foods: Roof rats will get into trash receptacles and eat discarded human foods, feed on pet food in dishes, and invade food storage inside homes.
In pantries, kitchens, storage rooms, and attics, roof rats chew through cardboard to get to foods contained inside. They have strong teeth and claws that make quick work of most packaging.
Roof rats are excellent climbers that can scale trees or climb the sides of your home. When roof rats get into structures, they usually do so from the roof or roof line. Here are some examples:
In most cases, these animals will access homes through high entry points.
A roof rat prefers to live in an elevated enclosure. Outside, they usually live in tree cavities or dense tree canopy. When they get inside man-made structures, they typically live in attic spaces. Their preference is to live in unfinished attics. They’ll also hide in high nooks or storage spaces inside garages.
Yes, roof rats pose health and safety concerns for humans. Here are a few facts you should know:
Rats present health risks and are also destructive pests. They damage building materials and storage items.
There are many obvious signs of an infestation. Look for them in secluded spaces near and inside your home.
If you detect warning signs of an infestation, contact your Marathon Pest Control service team for treatment options.
If you’ve found evidence of roof rats or other rodents in your home or business, contact Marathon Pest Control for assistance. Our locally owned and operated company provides residential pest control and commercial pest control services that target rodents and other pests.
Preventing a roof rat infestation isn’t easy. It requires consistent and dedicated effort.
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Marathon Pest Control is here to solve your pest problems for good. Contact us today to learn how our local pest control team eliminates insects and rodents in homes and businesses.
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