Roof Rats Florida

What are palm rats.

Roof rats florida.

Roof rats also known as palm rats palm tree rats black rats ship rats or house rats are the leading rodent pest in florida and in other tropical climates. When it comes to roof rats it is important to understand what they look like. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. However new information shows the pesky rodents are populating florida roofs.

The roof rat is an introduced species of rat native to southern asia. Roof rats will invade homes any time of the year including in the summer season in order to escape the heat. This rat is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the reservoir host for murine typhus. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.

The roof rat is the most common type of rat found in south florida. The most invasive species that is found living in the highest numbers is the roof rat. For the most part they are vegetarian although they will eat almost anything that is available. Palm rats are also known as roof rats citrus rats black rats and ship rats belong to the muridae family of the rodent species.

In south florida there are several species of rats. When people think of rats they might not think of florida. Roof rats are identified by a number of different names including palm rats fruit rats citrus rats and black rats. Terminix a company that deals with pest and rodent.

It was brought to america on the first ships to reach the new world and has spread around the world. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they often prefer to build their nests up high in attics or in beams near the roof. Yes there are many types of rats and palm rats are a nightmare for many house and property owners as they are known to be one of the leading pests in florida. Fruit is one of their main food sources.

They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms which is how they got their common name. Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length.