Roof Rats Hawaii

The norway rat is often found digging and bur rowing under structures but is quite capable of climb ing.

Roof rats hawaii.

The roof or black rat the norway or brown rat the polynesian hawaiian rat and the house or field mouse. 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 long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail. In fact roof rats are now well established pests in many parts of the world.

The roof rat is an excellent climber and is found inhabiting trees roof spaces and attics. 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. There are four rodents of economic importance in hawaii. Roof rats are probably 90 or more of the work we do as far as rodent control in hawaii is concerned.

Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. 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. Adult roof rats measure 6 8 16 20 cm when combining their head and body length.

The most common rat species associated with complaints in hawaii are the roof rat rattus rattus and the norway rat rattus norvegicus. 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. Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases.

The most common rat species associated with complaints in hawaii are the roof rat rattus rattus and the norway rat rattus norvegicus. 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. Their undersides are often white gray or black. Roof rats have soft and smooth fur that is typically brown with intermixed spots of black.

From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases. 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.