Roof Rat
Also known as black rat, fruit rat. Rattus rattus
Agile climbing rats that nest in attics, soffits and citrus trees.
Roof Rat (Rattus rattus) is a high-concern pest in Florida homes and yards. Rhino Pest Management provides rodent control in Florida's Treasure & Space Coast — licensed (#JB242881) & insured technicians, rated 5.0★ from 16 Google reviews. Estimates are free: (772) 589-6842.
Photo: no rights reserved (CC0) · iNaturalist (research grade)
Slender, 13–18 cm body with a tail longer than the body, dark gray-brown fur, large ears and eyes. Excellent climbers.
Attics, soffits, wall voids, garages, and citrus and palm trees. They enter through gaps as small as a quarter.
- Scratching or scurrying in the attic or walls at night
- Dark, spindle-shaped droppings (capsule-shaped)
- Gnaw marks on wires, eaves and fruit
- Greasy rub marks along beams and pipes
Roof rats chew electrical wiring (a fire risk), contaminate food and insulation, and carry diseases and parasites. They reproduce rapidly year-round in Florida.
Should I call today?
Yes, get it looked at promptly. Roof Rat causes damage or health problems that compound while you wait, and the cost of that damage is the part that actually gets expensive — not the treatment. An inspection is free, so there's no reason to guess.
Rhino inspects, sets traps and tamper-resistant stations, removes the rodents, and — critically — finds and seals the entry points so the next ones can't follow. Optional attic exclusion and sanitation.
Our Rodent Control service