Roof Rats Gilbert Arizona

If you have roof rats or have seen roof rats in your neighborhood call the maricopa county environmental complaint line at 602 506 6616 or log your complaint at www maricopa gov envsvc.

Roof rats gilbert arizona.

Roof rats have invaded gilbert az. They re a specialized rat that has adapted to the modern lifestyle of humans here in the desert. There are many reasons for this but one of the primary ones is that the citrus trees in many backyards in the valley provide a consistent food source for rats while attics are generally undisturbed by local. Their ability to easily travel from home to home makes this rodent a headache for homeowners.

Roof rats are destructive consuming and contaminating stored food and feedstuffs gnawing on wires posing a fire hazard and tearing up insulation for nesting material. Roof rats rattus rattus were first documented in arizona in 2001 and were most likely introduced into the area through freight and shipments of food and livestock. Roof rats in arizona. Roof rats love warmer temperatures which is why their populations tend to explode during a warm spring.

Why are they so common in the phoenix metro. Here in southern arizona it is not uncommon to experience consistent summer temperatures above 110 degrees f. Two east valley cities are in the top 10 nationwide but not in a category they want. Roof rats can be cautious.

Roof rats as the name implies make their nests in phoenix area attics. According to the university of arizona aside from disease transmission roof rats eat and contaminate food chew on household wiring and tear up home insulation. Roof rats are a common pest throughout the phoenix metro and casa grande. Gilbert and tempe are among the worst in the country for roof rats based on data compiled from more than 300.

Phoenix is an ideal habitat for these rats due to the citrus and palm trees taking advantage of the old growth and abundant irrigation canals even in the harsh summer months. While roof rats are not native to arizona households in the greater phoenix area have reportedly seen an increase of this rodent species in the past few years. The rat zapper should be placed close to a roof rat nest or in their runways said ernie henson president and owner of stormin norman termite and pest control. Gilbert and tempe are both in the top 5 for roof rats nationwide.

For rattus rattus the scientific name for what we call roof rats arizona is now home. Roof rats are small and only need a hole the size of a quarter to squeeze through and get into your attic or home.