Roof Rats Hawaii

The roof rat is found in agri cultural areas wooded gulches kiawe forests and in both wet and dry forests.

Roof rats hawaii.

Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length. There are four rodents of economic importance in hawaii. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail. From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases.

The roof rat is an excellent climber and is found inhabiting trees roof spaces and attics. Their undersides are often white gray or black. Although it is not native to north america it is established in most coastal and southern states in the continental united states u s hawaii and small populations exist in alaska. The most common rat species associated with complaints in hawaii are the roof rat rattus rattus and the norway rat rattus norvegicus.

Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. These rats are omnivores eating foliage like seeds leaves and stems in addition to small prey like birds and insects. Roof rats are probably 90 or more of the work we do as far as rodent control in hawaii is concerned. Roof rat droppings left and screens with gnawed holes are sure signs of an infestation.

Roof rats are food hoarders stashing supplies of food such as seeds and nuts. These rodents prefer to consume fruits sometimes referred to as the fruit rat or citrus rat and nuts although roof rats are omnivorous and will feed on almost anything available to them. These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus. The roof rat is an excellent climber and is found inhabiting trees roof spaces and attics.

The most common rat species associated with complaints in hawaii are the roof rat rattus rattus and the norway rat rattus norvegicus. The norway rat is often found digging and bur rowing under structures but is quite capable of climb ing. This species has now displaced the norway rat as the most common rat found close to human habitations and especially in wet areas such as stream beds drainage canals and sewers. Also known as black rats even though they vary in color roof rats are rodents that explore both indoors and outside and can be found on roofs in attics rafters the tops of trees and other high places around your home.

Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases. These pests are the ones banging around in your roof at night and can do real structural damage and ruin food that they share with you.