aTampa has a problem with just about every species of rat there is. However, Tampa roof rats are most certainly the most numerous ones we have and are what we’re going to focus on today. In fact, I’ve mostly got bad news all around regarding Tampa and rats!
Tampa, Florida, has recently been voted the 50th most rat-infested city in the United States. This is a shocking statistic that should be taken seriously and acted upon as soon as possible. Pest control is an important part of keeping our homes, businesses, and communities safe from disease-carrying rodents and other pests. In this blog post, we will discuss why pest control is essential for Tampa residents and how to go about getting it done effectively. We will also look at what steps you can take to prevent them from invading your property. By taking action now, you can help protect yourself and your family from potentially dangerous infestations that could have serious health consequences.
Tampa Roof Rats: Overview
Rats commonly live in attics, walls, basements, and other warm, dry places. They can also be found living in sewers and drainage systems. Rats are attracted to areas with food sources such as pet food, bird seed, and garbage cans. Having these items around your property can make it easier for rats to find their way in. To avoid them getting in, make sure to store food in airtight containers and keep garbage cans as far away from your house as possible. Also, keep windows closed and seal any potential entry points such as holes or cracks in walls.
Tampa roof rats carry diseases that can be passed to humans, including salmonella, leptospirosis, and bubonic plague. These diseases can cause serious illnesses and even death in some cases. In addition to spreading disease, rats are also known for damaging property by chewing on wires, which can be a fire hazard. They will also eat through insulation and other materials inside and can be dangerous to humans and animals alike. Tampa roof rats are known carriers of fleas, ticks, and mites which can spread a variety of illnesses. They also have the ability to contaminate food with their droppings, saliva, and urine.
Roof rats have an appetite for almost anything. Not only do they scrounge up food trash and insects, but they also feast on small birds or reptiles, fruits, nuts, cereal grains, sugar cane, coconuts, cocoa, oranges, and coffee beans. The worst part? They’re notorious agricultural pests! These omnivores cause more destruction than the consumption of crops due to their indiscriminate eating habits, a problem that has frustrated farmers for centuries.
Tampa Roof Rats: Behavior
When roof rats take up residence in your home, it can be quite a nuisance. The rustling of these rodents scuttling throughout your walls at night can disrupt your sleep and cause significant damage to both the structure and safety of your house. Roof rats are notorious for chewing through wires which could spark a fire or gnawing plastic water pipes—both leading to costly repairs. Therefore, if you find yourself with an indoor rat problem, act quickly as they may have already caused holes in the wall or other structural damage that will require attention right away!
From September through March in Florida, you may encounter roof rats during their citrus season. Roof rats consume the flesh of citrus fruits and leave behind hollowed-out shells as evidence; thus, if you have any citrus trees nearby, your property can be at risk for an infestation. Additionally, black droppings about a quarter to half an inch long—indicative of roof rat feces—can indicate that they are present within your home or attic space.
Roof rats often choose to make their homes in elevated areas, such as wall voids, attics, soffits, and piles of debris. They may also settle into the branches of hollow trees or underneath old palm fronds; outdoor kitchens and vehicles like cars and RVs are not off-limits either. Finding roof rat nests is an important part of pest control – but it shouldn’t be too difficult with this guide!
Identifying Roof Rats
The roof rat is a multi-hued creature with three different color patterns. Typically visible in Florida – gray with light grey undersides, black topside, and dark grey bellies. They may also be brownish-gray matched to white lower sides. This rodent stands between 12-14 inches when including its scaly tail which extends beyond the body. They are surprisingly lightweight at 5 – 10 oz. However, their slender shapes enable them to slip through even minuscule openings into your home.
You will find roof rats throughout Florida, including the Tampa Bay area. Here they prefer to live in trees and dense foliage outdoors. Although, they can also climb up into attics as well. They have a tendency to build nests near food sources. Which makes them especially problematic if you have fruit trees or other edible items on your property.
Infestation Signs
The first way to protect yourself against an infestation is to know how to identify one quickly.
The first step in tackling a rat problem is to identify whether you have one. Look for small droppings, gnaw marks on wood, and burrows in your garden or yard. You may also notice rat activity at night, as they are nocturnal creatures. Another way to see if you have a rat problem is to set up traps. Rodent traps with bait can help catch rats and other pests quickly. This allows you to get rid of them before they cause any damage. Finally, if you see a rat, contact your local pest control professionals immediately. Don’t confuse rats with mice—although they are similar, rats tend to be larger and more destructive.
So if you believe you have an infestation, be sure to act fast. A layman is sadly unprepared for most situations regarding a pest infestation. But thankfully, you can visit us at insectfree.com. There you can set up a consultation to get your problems dealt with as quickly as possible. We can get those Tampa roof rats out of your hair.
