Roof Rats In Phoenix Arizona

First appearing in phoenix in 2001 roof rats are relatively new to arizona.

Roof rats in phoenix arizona.

Roof rats fact sheet roof rats in the desert. The roof rat or rattus rattus has been one of the scourges of mankind for thousands of years. The rat has been identified as the cause of the black plague during the middle ages. While roof rats are not native to arizona households in the greater phoenix area have reportedly seen an increase of this rodent species in the past few years.

They re a specialized rat that has adapted to the modern lifestyle of humans here in the desert. There have subsequently been confirmed sightings of the roof rat in phoenix tempe glendale paradise valley and glendale. Gilbert and tempe are both in the top 5 for roof rats nationwide. The first roof rat in phoenix was spotted in 2001.

They re also not even native to north america as they traveled on ships from europe hundreds of years ago. If you have roof rats or have seen roof rats in your neighborhood call the maricopa county environmental complaint line at 602 506 6616 or log your complaint at www maricopa gov envsvc. They are usually dark in color slender and 7 8 inches long. Also known as a black rat or ship rat this species rattus rattus became a common sight and a nuisance in phoenix area neighborhoods in the early 2000s.

In recent years they again likely hitched a ride arriving in arizona by way of freight shipments. There are many reasons for this but one of the primary ones is that the citrus trees in many backyards in the valley provide a consistent food source for rats while attics are generally undisturbed by local. A professional should be called to avoid disease and to ensure proper disposal said sage garvey director of technical. Live traps are not the smartest options for elimination of roof rats.