Phoenix Roof Rat Facts and Prevention

This is the time of year when citrus trees are loaded with fruit and roof rats become more visible. Roof rats generally live a minimum of 4 feet off of the ground, and travel through trees, along tops of walls, power lines and roofs. While continued testing has shown that roof rats don’t carry disease, they can be a hazard to your home.


An opening as small as the size of a nickel can give roof rats access to your home, where they can chew through wood, plastic, aluminum siding, sheet rock and soft metals. Often the rats enter homes through the attic and then travel down pipes and gnaw through drywall to get into kitchens, laundry rooms or garages.

Signs of roof rats on your property include hollowed-out citrus fruits, droppings, evidence of chewing near the roof eaves or wire covers, the sound of scratching or gnawing and actual sightings of the rats (most likely twilight or at night).

The first step in preventing roof rats from taking up residence with you and your family is to remove their food source. Roof rats enjoy citrus fruits because they provide both food and water. They will also eat pet food, bird seed and queen palm fruit in the summer. Water sources include fountains, irrigation, pet water dishes, condensation drip lines and leaky faucets or sprinkler heads.

Use stucco diamond mesh to seal vents and holes around the house – on the roof and near appliances and under sinks. Caulk all cracks as well. You can also use the services of a licensed professional to bait or trap roof rats.