Florida Roof Rat Disease

Roof rats can have up to 8 litters per year each bearing 6 8 rats.

Florida roof rat disease.

Also known as black rats as well as palm rats fruit rats or citrus rats because of their largely vegetarian diets roof rats are the most common type of rat that is found in florida. When people think of rats they might not think of florida. These pests cause significant damage through their gnawing nesting and burrowing habits. It was brought to america on the first ships to reach the new world and has spread around the world.

Terminix a company that deals with pest and rodent. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they often prefer to build their nests up high in attics or in beams near the roof. From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases. These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus.

The most invasive species that is found living in the highest numbers is the roof rat. There are several diseases roof rats can transmit to humans. They sometimes co exist with sewer rats though they like to be up high. Historically infected fleas have transmitted serious plagues from rats to humans.

Step 1 in order to assess the severity of the rat problem and to get a better idea of where to bait and trap you will first need to perform a thorough inspection of the premises. This rat is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the reservoir host for murine typhus. They are good climbers and only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry. In south florida there are several species of rats.

They can transmit these diseases through physical contact bites by contamination or by fleas that are feeding on the rodent. However new information shows the pesky rodents are populating florida roofs. However roof rat diseases are the most serious concern for people and pets. When it comes to roof rats it is important to understand what they look like.

The roof rat is an introduced species of rat native to southern asia. Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases. Roof rats will nest in trees woodpiles garbage and plants but they generally like inside high places like attics. Being bitten by ticks mites or fleas that have been feeding on sick rodents can also spread diseases.

What you ll want to look for are any signs that the rats are present including droppings tracks gnaw marks burrows runways and rodent sounds. Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps. Types of roof rat diseases. These diseases can be spread through direct contact with rodents or their feces urine or saliva or through rodent bites.

Roof rats can be carriers of diseases. Roof rats are the worst rodent pest in the. Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. The sleek black roof rat is one of the most common species of rats in the united states.