Roof Rat Population Increase In Florida

And also because the norway rat can quickly adapt to the changes in the temperature compared to the roof rats.

Roof rat population increase in florida.

Once inside the roof rat population can grow rapidly. As their name suggests they like high places around your property but can also invade your home. Terminix a company that deals with pest and rodent control released a ranking of the most rat infested roofs in the united states wplg reported and four florida cities are on the list. 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.

The roof rat is the most common type of rat found in south florida. Roof rats are identified by a number of different names including palm rats fruit rats citrus rats and black rats. On the basis of the tail size. Roof rats being the smaller sized ones with a considerably slender body.

Here in florida during the citrus season september through march they seem to increase in number because they are out partaking in the fruit harvest. When it comes to roof rats it is important to understand what they look like. The following are the three most commonly found types of rats in florida and how you can identify them. Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length.

What attracts roof rats. Roof rats are attracted to garbage fruit and nut trees bird feeders bird seed and any place that can offer them food. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. A female can have a litter of five to eight babies.

Roof rats are one of the two most popular species of rats in the united states. Read this guide to learn more about how to identify and control roof rats. The most invasive species that is found living in the highest numbers is the roof rat. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.

In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males. Roof rats will invade homes any time of the year including in the summer season in order to escape the heat. Roof rats are nocturnal creatures and spend most days hiding away in secluded dark places. In warm tropical regions roof rats breed year round and females can have up to three litters a year.

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. The diet of the roof rats is entirely different from their brethren species. Roof rats possessing a long tail. The roof rat about the roof rat.

Their undersides are often white gray or black. In south florida there are several species of rats.