Roof Rats Florida

The roof rat is the most common type of rat found in south florida.

Roof rats florida.

Also known as black rats as well as palm rats fruit rats or citrus rats because of their largely vegetarian diets roof rats are the most common type of rat that is found in florida. Naturally they will eat in several different places which will be an important strategy when you bait and trap. Roof rats are the worst rodent pest in the state of florida and most abundant. Roof rats will invade homes any time of the year including in the summer season in order to escape the heat.

Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length. Fruit is one of their main food sources. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms which is how they got their common name. Yes there are many types of rats and palm rats are a nightmare for many house and property owners as they are known to be one of the leading pests in florida.

Roof rats are excellent climbers and they often prefer to build their nests up high in attics or in beams near the roof. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail. The most invasive species that is found living in the highest numbers is the roof rat. Their undersides are often white gray or black.

For the most part they are vegetarian although they will eat almost anything that is available. They will eat snails slugs and insects as well. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. The roof rat is an introduced species of rat native to southern asia.

When it comes to roof rats it is important to understand what they look like. It was brought to america on the first ships to reach the new world and has spread around the world. In south florida there are several species of rats. This rat is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the reservoir host for murine typhus.

Roof rats are identified by a number of different names including palm rats fruit rats citrus rats and black rats. Roof rats also known as palm rats palm tree rats black rats ship rats or house rats are the leading rodent pest in florida and in other tropical climates. Roof rats will eat smaller portions of food compared to norway rats.