Roof Rats Gilbert Az

For rattus rattus the scientific name for what we call roof rats arizona is now home.

Roof rats gilbert az.

Also known as the black rat this rodent poses a plague of hazards including the plague. Roof rats love warmer temperatures which is why their populations tend to explode during a warm spring. There are many reasons for this but one of the primary ones is that the citrus trees in many backyards in the valley provide a consistent food source for rats while attics are generally undisturbed by local. A pack rat unlike most others has fur on the tail.

Gilbert and tempe are both in the top 5 for roof rats nationwide. According to the university of arizona aside from disease transmission roof rats eat and contaminate food chew on household wiring and tear up home insulation. Phoenix is an ideal habitat for these rats due to the citrus and palm trees taking advantage of the old growth and abundant irrigation canals even in the harsh summer months. The rat zapper should be placed close to a roof rat nest or in their runways said ernie henson president and owner of stormin norman termite and pest control.

Roof rats are small and only need a hole the size of a quarter to squeeze through and get into your attic or home. Roof rats can be cautious. They re a specialized rat that has adapted to the modern lifestyle of humans here in the desert. Over the last ten years we have seen a steady migration of roof rat activity starting from the phoenix area down south east through chandler queen creek and surrounding areas.

Why are they so common in the phoenix metro. Pack rats also known as a wood rat a pack rat is more commonly found within central arizona desert regions. Gilbert ranked 2nd and tempe ranked 5th on the list. There are three main types of pack rats within central arizona homes including the whitethroat pack rat mexican pack rat and stephen s pack rat.

Roof rats rattus rattus were first documented in arizona in 2001 and were most likely introduced into the area through freight and shipments of food and livestock. Roof rats as the name implies make their nests in phoenix area attics. Roof rats in chandler az and surrounding cities are a growing problem. While roof rats are not native to arizona households in the greater phoenix area have reportedly seen an increase of this rodent species in the past few years.

Outside the home they eat plants tree bark and fruits. If you have roof rats or have seen roof rats in your neighborhood call the maricopa county environmental complaint line at 602 506 6616 or log your complaint at www maricopa gov envsvc. Roof rats first invaded the east valley in 2001 in phoenix and from there spread throughout mesa chandler tempe and gilbert.