Roof Rats Nz

The ship rat rattus rattus is the most commonly found rat in new zealand and is the smaller of the two european rat species.

Roof rats nz.

It has a tail that is longer than its body and ears that cover the eyes when pressed forward. The black rat rattus rattus also known as ship rat roof rat or house rat is a common long tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus rattus in the subfamily murinae. Attics lofts or ceiling cavities are ideal environments for possums rats and mice who damage stored items and electric cabling by gnawing and possibly causing fires they are also ideal environments for nesting birds that can spread disease mites and fleas. The black rat is black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside.

You may think that the mouse would be easily distinguished because it is. Both roof rats and norway rats a stockier variety of rat can infest homes. Scratching scurrying noises usually heard at dusk and dawn. 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.

Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps. Ship rats are widespread around new zealand on the three main islands and on many offshore islands. Noises in the attic are worrying and can be an indication that rodents or other wildlife may be living in your roof. New zealand buildings are susceptible to infestation by black rats because of gaps under roofing in the eaves.

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. Rodent identification there are four species of pest rodent in new zealand. Rats may find their way onto the roof by climbing overhanging trees. The black rat does not build burrows and will nest in trees or in the voids of homes and other buildings.

It likely originated in the indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide. The most common rats in new zealand are the ship rat roof rat rattus rattus and the water rat rattus norvegicus. It s just that time of year when our commensalist friends the rats and mice come flocking indoors and around our houses to gain shelter food and water over the cooler period. For effective pest control you need to determine what type of rat is scurrying around your attic.

Roof rats are known by a variety of other names including palm rats fruit rats ship rats and alexandrian rats. Trees more than half a metre from the roof line should also be watched. Videos and tip offs to newstips stuff co nz. How to tell them apart.

Rats being pretty clever. Roof rats are incredibly good climbers and they are the ones that do the damage mainly within upper higher areas of dwellings buildings.