Why are there roof rats in Dobson Ranch?
The roof rat is dark brown to black in color and measures 13 to 18 inches in length including tail. They weigh 5-9 ounces, are slender, and their ears are large and nearly hairless.
Why Dobson Ranch? In simple real estate terms: Location, location,location! The roof rats are very fond of the abundant fruit, which lines the streets of this community. But the Ranchs rodents rely on more than just the ever present and abundant citrus fruit. They also eat flowering plants, cactus, pet food, stored food, insects, trash, birdseed and snails. From the citrus fruits moisture, to the countless swimming pools, and infinite run of landscaping lines and fences within the neighborhoods, the roof rat has a very short trek to find food, water and shelter. Having such an abundance of food, water and shelter allows our roof rat population to grow very quickly. The Arizona roof rats find homes easy to enter, providing safe shelter from predators and the natural elements such as heat, rain and cold. You may have not seen signs that you have roof rats, but we know we have them. If one neighbor has them we all do. They multiply and scatter, and word travels fast in the roof rat world Dobson Ranch is known for its location, location, location. The roof rats have got to go!
If you think you have roof rats...
What you should know about roof rats
- Roof rat droppings are long and cylindrical.
- Roof rats are nocturnal.
- Roof rats can transmit diseases like the bubonic plague and typhus. At this point, none of the roof rats captured and tested in Maricopa County have been diseased.
- Roof rats will enter homes and buildings. They only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry.
- Roof rats are good climbers. They can climb walls and use utility lines and fences to travel from structure to structure.
- Outside, roof rats will nest in trees, woodpiles, garbage, and plants. In our area, oleanders seem to be a popular nesting location.
- Inside, high places, like attics, are their preference.
- Roof rats do not burrow in the ground or swim.
- Roof rats eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, pet food and invertebrates (spiders and worms, for example). They will also eat paper.
- Female roof rats can each have up to four litters a year, each containing five to eight young. In urban areas where they have no natural predators, the survival rate of the babies is high.
- If you have the following items around your home, you may be more prone to attracting roof rats: citrus trees, fruit trees, palm trees, yucca plants, pampas grass, honeysuckle, Italian cypress trees, oleanders, any heavy shrubbery, wood piles, and storage boxes.
How to tell if you have roof rats
If you have citrus trees, and notice hollowed-out fruit on the ground or in the trees, this is an indicator that roof rats are present. If you hear gnawing or scratching sounds in the attic or in the walls, you may have roof rats. Pay attention to any droppings in attics and storage areas. If you notice oily rubmarks on the house, or small holes in the screens, you could have roof rats.
What you can do to prevent roof rats from moving in
- Repair any broken or torn screens.
- Keep trees trimmed, and bushes and vines thinned. Make sure trees are trimmed back from the house at least 4 feet.
- Keep lids on garbage cans.
- Clean up debris in the yard and storage areas.
- Seal around your attic.
- Safe guard vegetable gardens.
- Do not leave pet food and water outside, especially at night.
- Keep yard clean of pet waste.
- Feed birds on cleanable surface.
- Supervise water features, ponds and pools.
- Unnecessary stagnant water should be drained out as quickly as possible.
- Pick citrus as soon as it is ripe. Remove any fallen citrus from the ground.
- Store wood at least 18 inches above the ground and 12 inches away from the walls.
- Eliminate standing water and fix leaky faucets.
What you can do to get rid of roof rats
Trapping roof rats seems to be the preferred method of control, especially if you have small children or pets that might be affected by poisons. Traps are widely available. Peanut butter on the trigger will draw the rat to the trap. Traps should be placed near nesting areas or areas where they are most likely to hide and along well-traveled paths used by the rats. Snap traps are available in the administration office for $5 each.
  
To protect human and non-target animal health, pick up and dispose of rodent carcasses soon as they are discovered. DO NOT handle dead rodents with bare hands. Pick up carcasses wearing disposable gloves or by placing a hand inside a plastic bag. The carcass, along with the disposable gloves or plastic bag used to handle the carcass, should be double plastic-bagged and disposed of in secured, outdoor trash containers.
Other sources for information:
To report a complaint, call the Maricopa County Citizen's Environmental Complaint Line at 602-506-6616.
For more information about controlling the rats, call Maricopa County Vector Control at 602-506-0700.
City of Mesa: 480-644-3599
http://www.maricopa.gov/EnvSvc/VectorControl/RR/RRInfo.aspx
www.roofrat.net
http://mesaaz.gov/environ/roof_rat_tips.aspx
http://mesaaz.gov/environ/bait_station_instructions.aspx
Link to UofA site for information click here
Contact the administration office for more information and to report roof rats in your neighborhood.
Snap traps are available for $5 each.
2719 S. Reyes, or call 480-831-8314.
|
