They can run along tree branches vines dense shrubbery and utility lines.
Rats getting in ar roof line.
Once you find their preferred routes place bait and live traps along these highly traveled pathways.
Roof rats habits and biology.
Roof rats become sexually mature between two and five months producing four to six litters per year that consist of six to eight young each.
Getting rid of roof rats.
In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males.
Bait your traps with peanut butter or cat food and place the trap in a shoebox with a small hole cut in the side.
Roof rats are superb agile climbers and prefer to both travel and forage for food above ground.
This will get the rat used to eating at that location.
Because the roof rats climb well common nesting sites are above the ground.
But don t be fooled into thinking that these are the only ways they can use to access a house they re also known to travel on the ground in areas where there s dense cover.
Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps.
Toxic baits or rodenticides are intended to kill the rats when they eat the bait.
Step 1 in order to assess the severity of the rat problem and to get a better idea of where to bait and trap you will first need to perform a thorough inspection of the premises.
Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.
In addition try putting the attractant out for a few days before setting the trap.
Roof rats may be attracted to simple food scraps including pieces of fruit and bacon.
The common lifespan of these rodents is about one year.
Their undersides are often white gray or black.
What you ll want to look for are any signs that the rats are present including droppings tracks gnaw marks burrows runways and rodent sounds.
They will nest in trees attics voids along the roof line and in ceilings.
They have 4 6 litters per year.
Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length.
The roof rats become sexually mature in just a couple months.