5 Signs You Have Roof Rats in Arizona

Roof Rats in Arizona

Roof rats are a common pest throughout Arizona. Their ability to easily travel from home to home makes this rodent a headache for homeowners. In this blog, we’ll review some of the signs you have roof rats — and when you need to call Arizona’s Best Choice for services.

Some telltale signs of roof rats include:

Half-eaten citrus from trees on or near your property
Squeaking or scratching noises from walls or your attic
Pets acting strangely due to hearing and sensing the pests
Presence of rat droppings on your property
Visible rats on your property

Let's break down each of these signs below.

#1. Half-eaten citrus around your home

One of the reasons that roof rats have flourished in the East Valley is because of the prevalence of backyard fruit trees, especially citrus trees. This provides the rats with a convenient food source close to warmth and shelter.

The rats typically will target the lowest hanging fruit—literally. They’ll eat oranges, lemons, and more that have fallen to the ground.

One of the most effective ways to determine if you have roof rats is to check the fruit that has fallen in your yard. If you’re noticing half-eaten fruit, or fruit with tiny bite marks in it, it might be a sign you have roof rats.

#2. You hear squeaking or scratching noises

Roof rats are generally not quiet pests. In the process of nesting, they’ll often make squeaking or scratching sounds. When it’s quiet at night, listen inside of your house.

If you hear noises that can’t be otherwise explained by your appliances, call Arizona’s Best Choice Pest & Termite for a free pest inspection.

#3. Your pets are acting strangely

Take notes on the behavior of your pets. Both cats and dogs have far better hearing and noses than humans, and they’ll often detect the presence of roof rats in your attic before you do.

If they’re constantly staring up at the ceiling, seemingly barking or hissing at nothing, or are trying to get higher to smell, it could be a sign that something is up there worth checking out.

#4. You may see rat droppings

If you have roof rats, you may see rat droppings around your home, outside your home, or in your yard. These droppings may be near the dropped, eaten fruit mentioned in #1.

Reminder: rat droppings, urine, and nest can contain dangerous pathogens and bacteria that can make you very sick. So, keep your distance and call in the experts at Arizona Best Choice Pest & Termite Services.

#5. You may see the rats themselves

Roof rats are generally larger than common mice, and much of their diet—such as citrus and fruit dropped from trees—is found outside. That’s why many Valley homeowners find out they have roof rats by actually seeing one around their home, outside their home, or in a high place.

Call Arizona’s Best Choice Pest & Termite for a Free Roof Rat Inspection

If you suspect that your Phoenix Valley home has roof rats, contact us at Arizona’s Best Choice to schedule your free roof rat inspection. We’ll send one of our experienced techs out to your home to check for signs of roof rats and determine if further treatment is needed.