Palm Rats / Roof Rats

Rattus rattus

Roof Rat Facts

Roof rats, also known as palm rats, palm tree rats, black rats, ship rats or house rats, are the leading rodent pest in Florida and in other tropical climates. They are climbers and prefer to nest off the ground in trees like palms, which is how they got their common name. Fruit is one of their main food sources.

Roof Rat Damage

Inside, these rodents can tear through insulation or gnaw on electrical wires, potentially short-circuiting any electronic devices. If they get into your kitchen, they’ll eat any food they can get their paws on. Outdoors, they can damage your garden by eating plants, fruits, and vegetables. They can also find their way into garbage cans and munch on any food scraps tossed away. Roof rats will chew on the sealant along roof tiles, which is another reason why they get into your home.

Roof Rat Infestation

Signs of a roof rat infestation include droppings found inside of your home and gnaw marks on food packaging, wooden structures, electrical wires or other household items. You may also notice greasy “rub marks” from dirt and oil on the bodies of rats on beams, rafters, walls or other fixtures. At night you will probably hear sounds of gnawing, clawing or screeching.

As is the case with many rats, the roof rat can transmit a variety of different diseases that are harmful to both humans and other animals. Some of these diseases include murine typhus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever and even the plague. A few of these diseases are rarer than others, however, if you find yourself in contact with rats and develop flu-like symptoms or skin discolorations within a few days after exposure, immediately seek medical attention.

Types of Roof Rats

Roof Rat Identification

The roof rat’s body spans from three to eight inches and they have the ability to jump as far as eight feet. Their lifespan is two to three years. Female rat litters can range from five to eight babies and they can give birth up to six times a year. Roof rats generally prefer vegetables, fruits and grain.

Common names for roof rats are palm rat, black rat, house rat and ship rat

Roof Rats In The Attic, Walls & The House

You’ll find these rats in the tallest parts of structures. They will nest in ceiling voids, in trees, crawl spaces and storage rooms where there is little activity. Outdoors, they can be found in vegetation, wood or other organic debris.

Their ease of accessing indoor areas leads to a frequent need for palm rat pest control measures, especially in the southern part of the United States. Since these rats spend most of their time in trees feeding, it gives them easy access to leap onto your roof.

Frequently Asked Questions