5 Ways to Prevent Roof Rats From Invading Your Phoenix Home

Most of us, if confronted in our homes with an 18-inch long rodent with a long scaly tail, would be startled. Yet those living in Arizona have faced this reality since the early 2000s. First discovered in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix in 2001, roof rats are one of the many types of rats found throughout the state and the most common type of rat found in Maricopa County. Since then, the critters have spread rapidly, with each female responsible for producing up to 40 new rats every year. That said, if roof rats aren’t the type of friend you’d care to invite over for dinner, it may be time to consider preventative measures. Here are five ways you can reduce the likelihood of these rodents invading your home.

Avoid feeding the rats — unknowingly or otherwise

Roof rats are notorious for eating anything. Keep garbage can lids tightly secured and avoid leaving pet food out, particularly overnight when roof rats are the most active. Ensure that bulk food is stored in airtight, rat-proof containers. It’s also helpful to clean up dog feces every night, and avoid filling bird feeders. If you want to feed the birds, simply place a small amount in the feeder and make sure to empty it at sunset.

Use screens

Roof rats enter houses in any fashion they can. To help prevent this, screen off windows and vents, as well as block any holes in the roof, eaves or walls. Cut tree branches that hang near the house as well.

Maintain landscaping

Cleanliness is a deterrent to roof rats. Trim bushes until you’re able to see daylight through them. Oleanders and bougainvilleas are especially prone to roof rats, most notably during the summer. Keep the area under trees and bushes free of debris, and ensure that fruit trees are trimmed so that there is space between the branches and the ground. Store lumber and wood a minimum of 12 inches from the sides of your home and at least 18 inches off the ground. Roof rats are partial to the fronds of palm trees, so it helps to keep foliage well trimmed.

Eliminate the food options

As soon as fruit becomes ripe, or as soon as it drops from the tree, pick it up. Do the same for any nut trees. While there’s no need to get rid of these trees, it is important to reduce the allure of the harvest since roof rats love eating these.

Contact a pest control service

Technicians, such as the Arizona rodent control experts at Preventive Pest Control, are professionally trained. They can assist you not only by eliminating the rodents, but also by identifying and getting rid of the cause for the infestation. Expert pest control in Phoenix, Tempe or Scottsdale mandates that technicians know all of the warning signs that a roof rat infestation has occurred.

The advantages of a professional pest control service include the fact that they will terminate the pests safely without risking the health of your family or pets. Moreover, the technicians will provide you with sound advice on how to reduce the risk of a reoccurrence.

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Photo: Rattus rattus by Alex O’Neal, used under CC BY-SA 2.0/resized from original