Roof Rat
Rattus norvegicus (Berkenhout)
These pests get their name from their tendency to nest in high places, but you may not just find these 8-inch long creatures in your attic; they are also known to thrive in basement environments. There are serious health threats associated with having rats in your home, including dust-carrying Hantavirus, a deadly disease that is transmitted through their urine and droppings. Rats also pose serious threats to your pets including fleas and mites that they carry and bites if your pet finds them before you do.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
- Check for gnaw marks.
- Watch out for droppings.
- Look out for four-toed front footprints and longer 5-toed hindprints.
- Be aware of dark, greasy markings that are the result of fur rubbing against surfaces.
- Check under plants for shallow burrows.
- Look outdoors for greasy runways along walls and bare soil runways.
- Check for tiny nibbles in food.
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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Mammalia | Rodentia | Muridae | |
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| Size: | Roof rat (black rat, ship rat) adult head+body length is 6-8 in (16-20 cm ); tail length is 7-10 in (19-25 cm ); weight is about 5-9 ounces, up to 12 ounces. |
| Color: | Brown with black mixed in, to gray, to black on top with white; gray or black underside. |
| Characteristics: | Soft, smooth fur; pointed muzzle; large eyes; large, almost naked ears which can be pulled over the eyes. Scaly, dark tail is longer than combined head+body length. |
| Geographic Range: | Probably from southeast Asia, but now found around the world. In the U.S. Rattus rattus is most common in coastal and southern states, especially near seaports. |
| Food: | Roof rats eat almost anything, but they prefer fruit, vegetables, and cereal products. They get their water often from their food. They eat a lot at one time, and will return to that place time after time. If they do not like a food or bait they quickly become shy of it. |
| Biology: | Roof rats mature in 2-5 months, and are adults for 9-12 months. Pregnancy takes 3 weeks. Newborns get hair after 1 week, open eyes after about 2 weeks, are weaned at 3-4 weeks. Female has 4-6 litters per year, with 6-8 young per litter. They have keen hearing, smell, taste and touch (long whiskers), but bad vision, and are color blind. They are good at running, climbing, jumping, even swimming. They are nocturnal and explore a lot, but are cautious and shy away from new objects. |
Prevention Tips For
Vertebrate Pests
Vertebrate Pests
- Caulk and seal any holes or cracks that could be used as entry points
- Put copper mesh over any large holes that could be used as entry points
- Keep doors and windows closed and properly screened to prevent accidental entry
- Remove clutter in and around home
- Clean up spills immediately
- Keep food in a seal-tight container
- Keep grass cut short
- Keep shrubs and plants properly spaced away from exterior of home
- Seal all holes in and around plumbing/piping
- Remove ivy from exterior walls as it allows entry to upper floors/roof
It only takes a few minutes to start protecting your home today.
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