Roof Rats And Pack Rats

Commonalities between roof rats and the az pack rat.

Roof rats and pack rats.

They have long hairless tails that measure longer than its entire body. Also known as a wood rat a pack rat is more commonly found within central arizona desert regions. They all carry diseases. Pack rats give birth to much smaller litters than other rats producing only two or three offspring at a time so in theory an infestation should be more manageable.

There are over 20 species of pack rats from the arctic to central america. Pack rats on the other hand are not considered true rats as they belong to the neotoma genus they are a different species. It consists of shoots twigs and green vegetation. Roof rats usually prefer to nest in the attic of a home or office building but can also be found in trees garbage piles construction sites and many other areas.

There are three main types of pack rats within central arizona homes including the whitethroat pack rat mexican pack rat and stephen s pack rat. Pack rats from the us have a simpler more basic diet. Do pack rats carry diseases. Pack rats carry diseases including the plague and their dens and droppings are also a health hazard.

A pack rat unlike most others has fur on the tail. Also known as black rats roof rats have black or dark brown colored fur with a lighter underside. Like all rats pack rats can transmit many diseases as well as contaminating food with their faeces saliva and urine and the parasites like mites and ticks that they carry with them. While pack rats have a lot of traits and characteristics that make them stand out from other mice and rats when it comes to diseases all these rodents are very similar.

Like all rats roof rats can transmit many diseases as well as contaminating. Both roof rats and the az pack rat need only a small crawl space to gain entry to your home.