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.
How to eliminate roof rats.
In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males.
Roof rats become sexually mature between two and five months producing four to six litters per year that consist of six to eight young each.
Because the roof rats climb well common nesting sites are above the ground.
You won t always see roof rats because they are nocturnal and forage for food at night.
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.
Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps.
Unfortunately you may not see them until there is a large infestation and it becomes more difficult to get rid of the rats.
Roof rats may be attracted to simple food scraps including pieces of fruit and bacon.
Rodents can cause a great deal of damage contaminate food and carry disease.
Detailed below are practical ways you can get rid of roof rats in your attic and other hiding places without breaking a sweat.
Roof rats will also chew through plastic and metal pipes to get water which can lead to serious structural damage.
Roof rats are drawn to any accessible food sources so clean up.
Both locations appear to be favorite hiding spots for these rodents.
Females become sexually mature in 68 90 days with 5 8 pups per litter.
The common lifespan of these rodents is about one year.
They have 4 6 litters per year.
Signs of an infestation of roof rats.
Property inspection one very convenient way of getting rid of roof rats in your house is to inspect the state of your attic and garage regularly.
In addition try putting the attractant out for a few days before setting the trap.
Rats can be a problem in the home.
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the building and cut back limbs overhanging the roof.
Roof rats habits and biology.
Toxic baits or rodenticides are intended to kill the rats when they eat the bait.
They will nest in trees attics voids along the roof line and in ceilings.
How to get rid of roof rats.
To prevent a roof rat infestation seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter with silicone caulk and be sure that all windows and vents are screened.
Fortunately there are ways to effectively kill the rats with the two best ways as traps including both.