Page 34 - SEASONAL PEST GUIDE OKEENA
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Roof Rat
• The roof rat is the smaller of the two commensal rats, as the Norway rat is larger in size. Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats. The roof rat gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings.
• Once inside, roof rats not only damage materials by gnawing through them, but they also contaminate stored food and serve as vectors of dangerous diseases.
• Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears, a pointed nose and a scaly tail. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black. Their undersides are often white, gray or black.
• Adult roof rats measure 6-8” when combining their head and body length. Their tails are notably longer than their heads and bodies, measuring 7-10”.
