Roof rats have long, thin, agile bodies. Their heads and bodies grow from six to eight inches, with their tails adding another seven to ten inches to their total length. Roof rats usually have brown fur, some black hairs, and lighter-colored underbellies. They have large eyes and ears, pointed noses, and bare tails.
Roof rats are sometimes called fruit rats for one simple reason: They like to eat fruit. It is not unusual for roof rats to eat fruit right off the tree, leaving the skins hanging from the tree branches.
In addition to fruit, roof rats love seeds, nuts, and berries. However, they’re omnivores and will eat almost anything they can find. Insects, slugs, fish, and items they see in and around homes are all possible food sources for roof rats.
Roof rats thrive in the Tampa Bay area for a few reasons. First, they love the warm, humid weather we experience.
As previously mentioned, roof rats like fruit. Florida is known for its citrus, so it makes sense that a large population of roof rats would call Tampa Bay home.
Finally, roof rats prefer to live in areas with plenty of vegetation. When living outdoors, they like overgrown areas where they can live in seclusion. They also use vegetation, such as tree branches, to more easily access the upper levels of homes.
Roof rats are not the pests you want in your Tampa Bay home. Perhaps best known for being the pests that spread the bubonic plague in the 1300s, roof rats are still dangerous, disease-spreading pests.
Roof rats can contaminate food and cause food poisoning, infect people with salmonellosis and infectious jaundice, and introduce parasites into homes that can spread even more diseases. Furthermore, if you come into direct contact with a roof rat and it bites you, you’re at risk of contracting rat-bite fever.
Although the health risks associated with a roof rat infestation are bad enough, the bad news about these furry pests does not end there. Roof rats are also highly destructive to the homes they invade.
Like other rodents, roof rats are avid chewers that can cause damage to almost anything in your house with just their teeth. They’ll ruin insulation, cause electrical problems by chewing through wires, and produce leaking pipes while trying to access a water source.
As their name indicates, roof rats prefer the upper levels of homes and buildings. They’ll often get onto roofs or the eaves of homes by using tree branches as bridges. Once there, they can usually find a way to get inside through vents, gaps around windows, or other small openings. They only need a hole the diameter of a nickel to get indoors.
Outside, roof rats will nest in sheltered and quiet areas. Wood piles, trees, overgrown vegetation, and debris are all areas where roof rat colonies might nest.
Inside, roof rats will move into the upper portions of homes. You’ll typically find them in attics or rafters.
Roof rats usually live in colonies of ten or more rats. If they get into your house, it likely won’t take long before you notice their presence. Some signs of a roof rat infestation include:
We do not recommend trying to get rid of roof rats alone. These rats live in large colonies, so even if you successfully capture one or two, many more will still be a problem in your house. Furthermore, some DIY rat control techniques and products can be hazardous, especially if done incorrectly.
The best way to eliminate a roof rat infestation is to get professional rodent control from Anti-Pesto. Our comprehensive rodent control solutions address the root cause of the problem, eliminate all rat activity, and prevent re-infestation. We use a variety of methods and customize our treatment plan to your home’s unique situation. In addition to removal and exclusion, we also offer TAP insulation installation to repair damaged insulation.
Preventing roof rats is much easier than getting rid of a roof rat problem after they get into your Tampa Bay home. Implement these recommendations for a home free of damaging and dangerous roof rats:
Contact Anti-Pesto today to request your home rodent inspection for ongoing rodent protection.
From the first contact call the staff was very professional, courteous and informative. We discussed the issues and set a plan with an appointment within a couple days. Shane, our technician, was very prompt and courteous. Very informative during the inspection process and strategically put a deterrent plan in place. I would highly recommend Anti-Pesto Bug Killers.
Jim J.
Largo, FL
We had a wasp infestation in our backyard shed. Anti-Pesto responded immediately and were out to our place within about two hours and took care of everything thoroughly. They will even follow-up again within two weeks to be sure that the problem does not recur. They are awesome!
Daniel Z.
Largo, FL
Amazing quality work. I’ve had a few pest control companies spray and ants would still enter our home and act as roommates. Sam Hurtado is our technician and he answers everything with knowledge and always brings quality work. Even if there was recent pest work they always arrange if I have issues. Thank you!!
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Tampa, FL
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