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.
How do you get rid of roof rats.
Since every building or home is different your orkin technician will design a unique program for your situation.
If you notice signs and sounds of a roof rat infestation you have several options to get rid of these pests.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the building and cut back limbs overhanging the roof.
Roof rats have smooth fur pointy noses and large dark eyes.
Your local orkin technician is trained to help manage roof rats and similar pests.
You want to prevent rats from having a way to get to your roof.
Be patient in trapping and baiting.
It may take a few days for them to adjust to a new change in the environment and take the bait or get trapped.
Peak times for roof rat activity is at dawn or dusk.
Traps are relatively cheap if unbaited can be left in place for long periods.
How to get rid of roof rats.
To prevent a roof rat infestation seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter with silicone caulk and be sure that all windows and vents are screened.
This prevents rats from climbing from tree limbs to the roof of your home.
But all traps baited or unbaited must be regularly inspected as a dead or dying rat or a food bait can attract secondary insects and cause an infestation.
Traps can be an easy and inexpensive way to get rid of rats.
Remove clutter like paper or cardboard that rats may use to build their nests.
Watch out for teeth marks on items like cables woods pipes etc.
Both locations appear to be favorite hiding spots for these rodents.
Keep dog food and other pet food stored in sealed food containers.
Trim or remove tree limbs that are within 8 10 feet of the roof of your home.
Detailed below are practical ways you can get rid of roof rats in your attic and other hiding places without breaking a sweat.
Store food in metal or plastic containers with tight fitting lids instead of cardboard boxes that can easily be gnawed through.
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.
Do not leave.
One very convenient way of getting rid of roof rats in your house is to inspect the state of your attic and garage regularly.
Roof rats are suspicious like norway rats.
They love to gnaw at anything they see.