Roof Rats Pest Control Facts

November 25th, 2009

Roof Rat (Rattus Rattus)

Characteristics

Roof Rat coloring is usually black or brown with a slender body, 6 1/2 – 8 inches long
Average weight is 6 – 12 ounces
Roof Rats have large ears that would cover the eyes if bent over
Their eyes are large and prominent, and they are color blind with poor eyesight, primarily seeing movements, shadows and light
Their tail is hairless and longer than the head and body, 7 1/2 – 10 inches long
The nose and muzzle are pointed, and Roof Rats have an acute sense of smell
Roof Rats have smooth fur
Their droppings have pointed ends and are about 1/2 inch long, a Roof Rat averages 30 – 180 droppings per day
Roof Rats can swing, jump and climb, and can squeeze through an opening only 1/2 inch wide
Roof Rats can gnaw through wood, lead, aluminum, copper, cinder block and uncured concrete

Habitat

Roof Rats will nest inside and under buildings, especially in upper portions of buildings, but they don’t really burrow
They also nest in trees, ivy and similar vegetation, or in piles of rubbish

Diet

These rats are omnivores, seeds, fruits, vegetables, eggs and grain
Roof Rats visit fewer sites than mice, but eat more per site, 1/2 – 1 ounce of food per day, and drink up to 1 ounce of liquid per day
Most feeding and activity takes place 1/2 hour after sundown until 1/2 hour before sunrise

Reproduction