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Roof Rats
Characteristics
Roof Rats (also known as "black rats") are old world (Europe and Asia) urban
dwelling rats that range along the lower half of the East Coast and throughout
the Gulf States and upward into Arkansas. They also exist along the Pacific
Coast and are found on the Hawaiian Islands. The Sun Belt States
including Arizona and Nevada have also been infested.
Habitat and Behavior
They daily explore their territory of 100 to 300 feet. Roof rats will not
only nest in trees (especially palms), ivy, and ground cover, but also in upper
portions of buildings. Their food source consists of snails, seeds, fruits,
vegetables, nuts, pet food and items
from unsealed garbage containers. Water is
also essential. The roof rat is distinguished by its larger ears, pointed nose,
tail longer than the body and an average body weight of 6-12 ounces. Landscaped
residential or industrial areas provide good habitat, as does vegetation of
riverbanks and streams. They will often move into sugarcane and citrus groves.
Many people believe that their oranges are being eaten by fruit bats, when in
fact, fruit bats don't eat citrus.
Being agile climbers, Roof rats frequently enter buildings from the roof or
accesses near utility lines which they use to travel from area to area. They
have been found in sewer systems, but this is not very common.

Roof Rat Smudge On Rafters
Adult
droppings are up to 1/2 in (12.5 mm) long, and are spindle shaped with
pointed ends.
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Control
The damage control methods used for roof rats are essentially the same as for
Norway rats. However, a few differences must be taken into account.
Exclusion or Rodent-proofing
Harborage is as important for survival as food and water, and suburbia
supplies it in great diversity. Attics, crawlspaces, sheds, greenhouses,
birdhouses, woodpiles, compost bins and covered or overturned boats all provide
dry, secure nesting sites. They make nests among vines on trellises,
fences and on walls.
When rodent-proofing against roof rats, pay close attenti on to the roof and
roof line areas to assure all accesses are closed. Plug or seal all openings of
greater than 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) diameter with concrete mortar, copper wool such as
"Stuff-It", or metal flashing.
Rodent-proofing against roof rats usually requires more time to find entry
points than for Norway rats because of their greater climbing ability. Eliminate
vines growing on buildings and, when feasible, overhanging tree limbs that may
be used as travel routes.
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Sanitation
The elimination of food and water through good sanitation can do much to
reduce rodent infestation. Store pet food in sealed containers and do not leave
it out at night. Use proper garbage and refuse disposal containers and implement
exterior sanitation programs. Emphasis should be placed on the removal of as
much harborage as is practical. Dense shrubbery, vine-covered trees and fences,
and vine ground cover make ideal harborage for roof rats. Severe pruning and/or
removal of certain ornamentals are often required to obtain a degree of lasting
rat control. Remove preharvest fruits or nuts that drop in backyards. Strip and
destroy all unwanted fruit when the harvest period is over. Citrus trees, having
very low hanging skirts, are more prone to damage because they provide rats with
protection. Prune to raise the skirts and remove any nests constructed in the
trees. A vegetation-free margin around the grove will slow rat invasions because
rats are more susceptible to predation when crossing unfamiliar open areas.
Traps.
Trapping can be an effective method of controlling rats, but it requires more
skill and labor than most other methods. Trapping is recommended where toxicants
are inappropriate. It is best to try trapping first in homes, garages, and other
small structures where there may be only a few rats present. Trapping has
several advantages: 1) it does not rely on inherently rodenticides; 2) it
permits the user to view his or her success; and 3) it allows for disposal of
trapped rats, thereby eliminating odor problems which may occur when poisoning
is done within buildings.
T-Rex Rat Trap
Named after the fierce dinosaur, the
Trapper T-REX is Bell's most recent
addition to its line of reliable traps. Professionals can now use a safer
alternative to competitor's dangerous rat snap traps. You can integrate the
Trapper T-Rex as a new tool for special situations, too, like chemical free
accounts. The Trapper T-REX offers superior rat capture.
Patented, interlocking teeth make rat escapes virtually impossible. The trap is
a perfect combination of trigger sensitivity and trap velocity -- speed and
responsiveness ensure capture. Extensive field and laboratory testing fine-tuned
Trapper T-REX to optimum specifications. Safer and easier to use than
competitor's snap traps, Trapper T-REX can be readily set by foot safely on the
ground. Press the trap open like a pedal, keeping fingers free and safe. Bell
included a removable bait cup that inserts from the bottom of Trapper T-REX. The
cup can be withdrawn and re-inserted without the trap being set, which greatly
enhances safety and ease of use. Use the T-REX along rat pathways. Try
baiting with peanut butter,
bacon, fruits, vegetables, cereals, meats, and
acorns for wood rats (pack rats). Order Your
T-Rex Now.
Rat
Zapper
Never Touch A Dead Rodent Again!
The rat zapper from Agrizap, Inc. is an effective, clean, easy to use, and humane trap that works by
killing the rodent with a quick electronic shock.
The main advantages of the Rat Zapper are as follows:
* Effective (kills mice, rats, chipmunks and ground squirrels)
* Clean (no blood or guts) and re-usable
* More humane than snap traps, glue boards, and poison
* Compact (10" x 4" x 4") and easy to use
* 10 rodent kills or 30 days with one set of 4 Alkaline AA batteries
* Flashing kill indicator light (you never have to see the dead rodent!)
* Not an ultrasound device
Approx. Dimensions: 4" x 4" X 10"
Rat Zapper FAQ
Rat Zapper Quick Start
Trapper Rat Glue Trays
Trapper Glue Boards capture rats and mice without poison. The Trapper 2-Pack contains two face-to-face glue boards which separate easily for placement. The glue boards are ideal to use in food plants, kitchens, restaurants, food processing plants, hospitals, residences, zoos and other sensitive areas where the use of poison is prohibited or discouraged. Trapper's sturdy, low-profile plastic tray reduces the chance of rodents stopping at the edge of the tray. Once rodents step onto the glue board, Trapper's
tenacious glue holds a rat securely, while just the slightest contact with the
glue will hold a mouse. For best results, place Trapper Glue Boards directly in the rodent's runway between its nest and food supply -- every 8 to 12 feet for mice and 15 to 30 feet for rats.
Order Trapper Rat Glue Trays Now.
Baits
 Maki Bait Packs
- Maki pellets contain
the world's most advanced single-feeding anticoagulant - Bromadiolone. Bait
shyness is not a problem because a single low dose is most often lethal,
producing dead rodents in an average of three to five days after treatment. Maki
place packs are extremely effective against Norway (including Warfarin
resistant), roof rats and house mice. It can be used in and around residential
and commercial buildings. The labeled packs (each containing 1.5 ounces Maki
pellets) are advantageous in areas where regular service access is difficult.
These areas include but are not limited to: crawl spaces, attics, ceilings,
suspended ceilings, or wall voids.
Order Maki Bait
Packs.
Contrac All-Weather Blox-
is a multi-edged, single
feeding rat and mouse bait, and has excellent rodent acceptance. It is colored
blue for easy recognition as a non food item. The 1 oz. bait pieces fit easily
into burrows, bait stations and tight fitting places. A hole through the center
allows you to hang the bait on securing rods or pegs for extra safety.
Order Contrac Blox.
Kaput
Place Packs are EPA approved to control Rats, Mice, and Voles.
Kaput Place Packs contain a grain bait that can be easily applied to a vole or
rodent burrow. This bait is highly effective and less likely to result in
secondary toxicity to non-target animals. Warfarin has been used in the rodent
control industry for over 40 years and remains effective in handling all sorts
of rodent control jobs.
Rats: Place at least 2-8 packs per placement. Space placements at 15-30 foot
intervals. Maintain an uninterrupted supply of fresh bait for 10 days or until
signs of rat activity cease.
Rats and Mice: Immediately replace contaminated or spoiled
bait. Properly collect and dispose of all visible dead animals and leftover
bait. To discourage reinfestation, limit sources of rodent food, water and
harborage as much as possible. If reinfestation occurs, repeat treatment. For a
continuous infestation, set up permanent bait stations and replenish bait as
needed.
Order
Kaput Place Packs

Bait Stations
The
Protecta LP is a triangular
shaped bait station that fits in corners and along walls where rodents travel.
Excellent for outdoor baiting, and its "Low Profile" makes it ideal to use
indoors under pallets and in other tight baiting locations.
Protecta LP holds all types of bait, including Contrac Blox that fit on horizontal and vertical bait securing rods. Patented interior baffles lead rodents directly to bait. Protecta LP locks automatically when closed and unlocks with a special 2-prong key that also opens Protecta Mouse,
and the Protecta RTU. Available in black, light gray and green to fit discreetly in any baiting environment.
These stations are used extensively in industrial or food plant operations for
exterior perimeter protection. They are also great for perimeter
protection around the home or next to piles of firewood or excessive harborage
areas. Whether you are in a rural area (mesas, mountains, woods) or in an
urban environment, these stations will provide you with year round protection
from foraging rodents. The ideal spacing for Protecta LP's range from 20
ft. to 50 ft. A lot of homes keep no less than four. One for each
side of the house. Order your Protecta LPs Now!
The
Protecta Landscape is a tamper resistant bait stations
that
looks like landscape rock that could be found in any natural setting to lend
itself as part of the habitat.
This unique feature allows the pest control
operator to set the bait station where it needs to be rather than out of
sight where it has to be so the esthetics of the landscape are not affected.
Its low profile and its camouflaged entry points makes it blend naturally
into the surrounding landscape. Available in two realistic 'rock' colors,
sandstone and granite, Protecta Landscape features a naturally textured
surface for a realistic appearance.
Protecta Landscape locks when closed and opens with the
standard Bell 3-prong key. The one-piece liner, and its side-opening
design make servicing easy. Four vertical bait-securing
rods hold eight 1 oz. Blox securely inside the station.
Protecta Landscape also accommodates a Trapper T-Rex rat
snap trap.
Made of heavy-duty, injection-molded plastic,
with a durable hinge built to withstand frequent
servicing, Protecta Landscape offers the superior
durability PMPs have come to expect in Protecta tamper-resistant
bait stations. Order Your Protecta
Landscape's Now
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View All Of Our Rat
Control Products Here

Technician's Tip:
Place zip ties through securing holes on the
T-rex rat trap to fasten traps to rafters,
pipes, or other areas where rats can travel.
Technician's Tip:

Step 1: Pre-place traps-
To allow rats to get accustomed to traps, place them
backwards against the wall and bait them without setting them for 3-7 days.

Step 2: Set The Trap-
Once rats get used to the traps return to bait &
set them with the open mouth towards the wall.
Order T-rex rat trap. |