Roof Rats Citrus Damages

Record the date and location of problem spots such as by marking a map of the grove using colored flagging or spray paint in the grove or by using a hand held gps global positioning system.

Roof rats citrus damages.

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. Fruit rats or roof rats as they re commonly called thrive in warm fruit bearing areas. After harvest they damage fruit and nuts in bins by chewing them and leaving excrement. Look especially for ground squirrels pocket gophers rabbits and roof rats.

Noises in the attic and walls especially at night gnawing sounds and gnaw marks around roof eaves. Damage to plastics and covering on electrical wires. 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. Fruit rats wreak havoc on households and produce farms.

Hollowed citrus and other fruit. Just thinking about it probably gives you the heebie jeebies. From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases. Skittish smooth furred and not well adapted to cooler temperatures roof rats are often mistaken for house mice.

These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus. You ve also seen some of the common signs of a roof rat infestation such as. Although roof rats have not been found to have disease they are known to be very destructive gnawing through wiring and causing other damage if they make their nests inside your home. Rats are active throughout the year and mostly at night.

Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. According to the university of california statewide integrated pest management program roof rats are especially fond of avocados and citrus and often eat fruit that is still on the tree. You are pretty sure you saw a roof rat near your patio. Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases.

Erick johnson who lives near central and northern avenues points out that roof rats love north central because there s plenty of food here especially ripe citrus that is left on the ground. What are common signs of roof rat activity. Though they may be cute these critters can cause major damage by chewing on housing materials and eating stored foods. Roof rats frequently enter homes and garden sheds through any opening larger than a nickel.

How do roof rats get into a house. In late fall roof rats seek out warm nesting sites like the upper levels of your home or garage. Use a sheet metal or aluminum flashing that is at least 18 inches tall and wrap it around the base of the tree overlapping it by 2 or 3. Install rat guard around the trunks of the citrus trees.