Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length.
Evidence of roof rats.
Droppings roof rat droppings are capsule shaped with blunt ends measuring 1 4 to 1 2 inch long.
The burrows can cause structural damage as they are often found under decking garden sheds or houses themselves.
Most homeowners will not see the rats themselves but instead will find evidence of rats if you see the following you may have roof rats on your property.
Although roof rats will typically nest and breed in attics they also build extensive burrow systems on the ground for food storage or shelter.
Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.
Garages check for gaps around door frames or holes gnawed at the bottom of wooden doors.
Footprints rats leave foot and tail marks in dusty less used areas of buildings.
Rat nests rats will shred available materials such as loft insulation cardboard and other soft items to make nests.
However you need to know the signs of infestation that can alert you to their presence.
You won t always see roof rats because they are nocturnal and forage for food at night.
Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black.
Their undersides are often white gray or black.
Roof rats will also chew through plastic and metal pipes to get water which can lead to serious structural damage.
Decking check the edges of decked areas for signs of damage from gnawing and burrowing.
They are typically shiny black but coloring can vary due to the rat s diet.
Evidence of roof rats.
Rat holes brown rats are well known for digging extensive burrow systems for shelter food storage and nesting.