Roof rats, also called black rats, are dark-colored rodents that often appear black. Their slender bodies measure 6 to 8 inches in length, and their tails are longer than their bodies. These long tails help provide balance as roof rats climb trees and run across branches to access rooftops. Active primarily at night, their dark coloration allows them to stay hidden in shadows as they scale trees and structures. While their climbing behavior may resemble squirrels, roof rats are far more elusive and less visible during their nocturnal activities.
Roof rats will likely live in an attic space when they enter homes. In your attic, they may nest in rafters or wall voids. These rats may also nest in stored items, such as dressers, mattresses, and couches. You may also find them under insulation or in storage boxes.
Roof rats eat a wide variety of foods, but they prefer natural sources such as seeds, nuts, and fruits. When they enter a home, they may feed on food from the kitchen, dog, and cat food, and edible holiday decorations stored in the attic. In many cases, roof rats live indoors but feed on exterior food sources.
These are not aggressive animals, so they rarely bite. Unfortunately, they impact humans in other undesirable ways. Here are some examples:
Roof rats don’t mean to harm us, but they live off the benefits we provide. Sadly, their presence inside structures is not beneficial to us.
These rats typically enter through high entry points. Here are a few examples of how roof rats enter houses and other structures:
Roof rats are remarkably agile. They can climb vertical surfaces, leap up to two feet, and squeeze openings the size of a quarter. If a gap is too small, they can gnaw and scratch at it to make it larger.
No. Roof rats can live in many areas within structures. While attics are a preference, they may nest near a food source. The walls of a pantry or kitchen are an option for roof rats, but in most cases, they’ll nest high.
If you have these rodents in your home, you may hear them bumping around in your attic during the night. But it is possible to have a roof rat problem and not hear them. To look for signs of roof rats, do the following:
While not a comprehensive list, it will help you get started. Every home is somewhat different, so it is hard to provide specific advice. Contact us if you’d like more details regarding the specific conditions found in your property.
If you’ve detected rat activity in your home, contact got bugs? Termite & Pest Solutions for assistance. Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company provides reliable pest control services in Atlanta that target rats, mice, and other house-infesting pests.
You may take steps to deter rats by removing attractants around your home. Once you’ve done this, use exclusion materials to seal openings and bolster your protection in critical areas. Make sure all vents are protected, even if they are high above the ground.
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