Roof Rats In Ohio

If roof rats are seen exposed it often indicates that their hiding spaces are all filled by other rats or that they have been disturbed such as by construction.

Roof rats in ohio.

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. And 3 the fruit rat r. Rattus alexandrinus geoffroy has an agouti brownish streaked with gray back and gray belly. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black.

The adult roof rat is about 7 10 inches long and weighs about 5 9 ounces. Ohio roof rats identification three subspecies have been named and these are generally identified by their fur color. There are many species of rats found in detroit columbus cleveland and throughout the united states but two rat species are of particular concern as pests roof rats and norway rats both are considered to be commensal rodents meaning that they share the table with humans and are thought to be among a small minority of rat species to benefit from this type of relationship. 1 the black rat r.

How to prevent a roof rat infestation. If you pull the tail back over the body it will reach over its head. Rattus rattus linnaeus is black with a gray belly. Droppings are another good indicator of roof rat activity.

The fur of roof rat is smooth while the fur of the norway rat is rough and shaggy. To prevent rats from entering your home seal up any holes or cracks larger than a quarter. To make an ideal home roof rats need food water and a cozy nesting site so clean out wood piles rake up fallen vegetation and fruit and do not leave pet food or water outside especially overnight. Inspecting roof rat.

In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males. Roof rats prefer to nest in locations off the ground and rarely dig burrows for living quarters if off the ground sites exist. The common lifespan of these rodents is about one year. Their undersides are often white gray or black.

Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.