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.
Roof rats citrus damages.
Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases.
In late fall roof rats seek out warm nesting sites like the upper levels of your home or garage.
After harvest they damage fruit and nuts in bins by chewing them and leaving excrement.
Roof rats frequently enter homes and garden sheds through any opening larger than a nickel.
Hollowed citrus and other fruit.
Though they may be cute these critters can cause major damage by chewing on housing materials and eating stored foods.
Install rat guard around the trunks of the citrus trees.
Fruit rats or roof rats as they re commonly called thrive in warm fruit bearing areas.
Roof rats often feed on orange avocado and other fruits sometimes leaving hollow fruit skins hanging on the tree.
Rats are active throughout the year and mostly at night.
These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus.
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.
What are common signs of roof rat activity.
How do roof rats get into a house.
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.
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.
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.
Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps.
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.
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.
You ve also seen some of the common signs of a roof rat infestation such as.
Look regularly in and around groves for vertebrate pests and their damage.
Just thinking about it probably gives you the heebie jeebies.
Damage to plastics and covering on electrical wires.
You are pretty sure you saw a roof rat near your patio.
