North Texas Roof Rats

From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases.

North texas roof rats.

Two primary species of rats inhabit north american homes. These texas rats are dark brown or black in color with lighter underbellies. In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males. Roof rat calls quadruple in north texas pest control company has been busy with animals in local attics after recent freeze.

The common lifespan of these rodents is about one year. Unlike the norway rat this type of texas rat is often found climbing trees in order to access buildings through the roof hence their name. Roof rats have pointed noses large ears and big beady eyes. Although people don t usually see the actual rats signs of their presence are relatively easy to identify.

There are several distinguishing characteristics. The roof rat and the norway rat. 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. Norway rats range in size from 7 9 inches long including its long thick tail.

Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. By ben russell published november 25 2019 updated on. The two prevalent types of rats in texas are often confused with each other as they look fairly similar. They live in trees shrubs vines and dallas attics preferring to travel above ground.

Roof rats in texas. The roof rat can be distinguished from the norway rat because of their smaller leaner bodies and their prowess for climbing. Roof rats are black or dark brown rats that are becoming increasingly problematic in central texas and austin. Rats are some of the most common and formidable pests in the world damaging and contaminating food structures and human health.

As its name implies the roof rat is a rat that likes to climb but they can be found in pretty much any location that offers food. How might you compare a roof rat vs. Norway rats are poor climbers but excellent swimmers. Roof rats got their name because of the fact that these rodents are natural climbers that prefer to build their nests in high up locations such as in eaves or attic rafters.

Their long scaly tail adds another 6 8 inches onto their. Roof rats are less common than the norway rat known for swarming manhattan sewers and they re arboreal. The body of the adult roof rat grows to about 6 8 inches in length. Roof rats are dark brown or black with a contrasting lighter colored underbelly.