1. THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING
Prepared by: Jack Launius

3. ROOF RATS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Order Rodentia : Family Muridae : Rattus rattus
Description. A blackish (or brownish), medium-sized, slender rat with long, naked,
scaly tail; tail usually longer than head and body. There are three color phases
seen in Florida: black back with a slate gray belly, gray back with lighter gray
belly, and brownish gray above with a white or cream colored belly.

4. HABITS
ROOF RATS LIVE IN CLOSE
ASSOCIATION WITH MAN.

5. • THEY MAY LIVE NEAR THE GROUND, BUT USUALLY THEY FREQUENT THE
ATTICS, RAFTERS, AND CROSSBEAMS OF THE BUILDINGS. THEY MAKE
TYPICAL RUNWAYS ALONG PIPES, BEAMS OR WIRES, UP AND DOWN
THE STUDDING, OR ALONG THE HORIZONTAL CEILING JOISTS, OFTEN
LEAVING A DARK-COLORED LAYER OF GREASE AND DIRT TO MARK
THEIR RUNWAYS. THE ROOF RAT IS NOCTURNAL AND ONLY WHERE
POPULATIONS ARE RELATIVELY HIGH ARE THEY SEEN IN THE DAYTIME.

6. BREEDING
ROOF RATS
REACH
SEXUAL
MATURITY
AT 3 TO 4
MONTHS
OF AGE.
Roof rats breed year-round,
with peak breeding activity
in spring and fall.
The litter of 5 to 8 pups are
born after a gestation
period of 21 to 23 days.
A female roof rat can have
4 or 5 litters per year.

7. DISEASES
HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME (HPS): HANTAVIRUS
PULMONARY SYNDROME (HPS) IS A DEADLY DISEASE
TRANSMITTED BY INFECTED RODENTS THROUGH URINE,
DROPPINGS, OR SALIVA.

8. DISEASES
• HUMANS CAN CONTRACT THE DISEASE WHEN THEY
BREATHE IN AN AEROSOLIZED VIRUS. HPS WAS
FIRST RECOGNIZED IN 1993 AND HAS SINCE BEEN
IDENTIFIED THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
ALTHOUGH RARE, HPS IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY.
RODENT CONTROL IN AND AROUND THE HOME
REMAINS THE PRIMARY STRATEGY FOR PREVENTING
HANTAVIRUS INFECTION.

9. MURINE TYPHUS
• Murine typhus is caused by Rickettsia
typhi and R. felis, which are transmitted
to humans by fleas; it is clinically
similar to but milder than epidemic
typhus, causing chills, headache, fever,
and rash.

10. MURINE TYPHUS
• FLEA-INFESTED RATS CAN BE FOUND
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN HUMID
TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTS, BUT IN
TEMPERATE REGIONS ARE MOST
COMMON DURING THE WARM SUMMER
MONTHS. TRAVELERS WHO VISIT IN RAT-
INFESTED BUILDINGS AND HOMES,
ESPECIALLY IN HARBOR OR RIVERINE
ENVIRONMENTS, CAN BE AT RISK FOR
EXPOSURE TO THE AGENT OF MURINE
TYPHUS.

11. SALMONELLA
ENTERICA
SEROVAR
TYPHIMURIUM
• AS ITS NAME SUGGESTS, IT CAUSES A
TYPHOID-LIKE DISEASE IN MICE. IN
HUMANS S. TYPHIMURIUM DOES NOT
CAUSE AS SEVERE DISEASE AS S. TYPHI,
AND IS NOT NORMALLY FATAL. THE
DISEASE IS CHARACTERIZED BY DIARRHEA,
ABDOMINAL CRAMPS, VOMITING AND
NAUSEA, AND GENERALLY LASTS UP TO 7
DAYS. UNFORTUNATELY, IN
IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE, THAT IS
THE ELDERLY, YOUNG, OR PEOPLE WITH
DEPRESSED IMMUNE SYSTEMS,
SALMONELLA INFECTIONS ARE OFTEN
FATAL IF THEY ARE NOT TREATED WITH
ANTIBIOTICS.

12. LEPTOSPIROSIS
• LEPTOSPIROSIS IS A BACTERIAL DISEASE THAT AFFECTS
HUMANS AND ANIMALS. IT IS CAUSED BY BACTERIA OF
THE GENUS LEPTOSPIRA. IN HUMANS IT CAUSES A WIDE
RANGE OF SYMPTOMS, AND SOME INFECTED PERSONS
MAY HAVE NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL.

13. LEPTOSPIROSIS
• SYMPTOMS OF LEPTOSPIROSIS INCLUDE HIGH FEVER, SEVERE
HEADACHE, CHILLS, MUSCLE ACHES, AND VOMITING, AND
MAY INCLUDE JAUNDICE (YELLOW SKIN AND EYES), RED
EYES, ABDOMINAL PAIN, DIARRHEA, OR A RASH. IF THE
DISEASE IS NOT TREATED, THE PATIENT COULD DEVELOP
KIDNEY DAMAGE, MENINGITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE
MEMBRANE AROUND THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD), LIVER
FAILURE, AND RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. IN RARE CASES DEATH
OCCURS.

14. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ROOF RATS
• ROOF RAT DROPPINGS ARE LONG AND
CYLINDRICAL.
• ROOF RATS ARE NOCTURNAL.
• ROOF RATS WILL ENTER HOMES AND
BUILDINGS. THEY ONLY NEED A HOLE
THE SIZE OF A QUARTER TO GAIN
ENTRY.
• ROOF RATS ARE GOOD CLIMBERS. THEY
CAN CLIMB WALLS AND USE UTILITY
LINES AND FENCES TO TRAVEL FROM
STRUCTURE TO STRUCTURE.
• OUTSIDE, ROOF RATS WILL NEST IN
TREES, WOODPILES, GARBAGE, AND
PLANTS.
• INSIDE, HIGH PLACES, LIKE ATTICS, ARE
THEIR PREFERENCE.
• ROOF RATS EAT FRUITS, VEGETABLES,
NUTS, PET FOOD AND INVERTEBRATES
(SPIDERS, SNAILS AND WORMS, FOR
EXAMPLE). THEY WILL ALSO EAT
PAPER.

15. ROOF RATS MAY LIVE OR ESTABLISH
THEIR NESTS IN...

16. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT BY ELIMINATING OR REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS THAT ARE CONDUCIVE TO PEST ACTIVITY YOU CAN STRONGLY REDUCE
OR ELIMINATE RODENT INFESTATIONS. THIS CHECKLIST IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE
INFORMATION NECESSARY TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS TO KEEP A HOME
RODENT FREE AFTER THE INITIAL SERVICE.
Your home attic and walls
Algerian ivy
Palm trees
Yucca
Pampas grass
Honeysuckle
Blackberries
Italian cypress
Juniper tams
Star jasmine
Other heavy shrubbery
Wood and lumber piles
Storage boxes
Yard and Garden Storage

17. THINGS YOU SHOULD DO
1) Remove stored items in close proximity to the structure.
2) Cut grass and/or weeds along the foundation.
3) Install hardware cloth over foundation vents.
4) Install hardware cloth over roof vents.
5) Install hardware cloth over marked openings.
6) Remove accumulated grocery bags & newspapers..
7) Repair interior plumbing leaks..

18. THINGS YOU SHOULD DO
8) Repair exterior plumbing leaks
9) Caulk or seal around plumbing penetrations.
10) Move stored boxes 6” from walls.
11) Install weather stripping along bottom of doors.
12) Remove pet food and water dishes when not used.
13) Store pet food in sealed containers.
14) Keep trash in sealed containers.

19. SIGNS OF RODENT INFESTATIONS

20. SIGNS OF RODENT
INFESTATIONS

21. SIGNS OF RODENT INFESTATIONS

22. SIGNS OF RODENT
INFESTATIONS

23. SIGNS OF RODENT INFESTATIONS

24. SIGNS OF RODENT
INFESTATION

25. SIGNS OF RODENT INFESTATION

26. OFTEN OVERLOOKED POINTS OF ENTRY

27. OFTEN OVERLOOKED POINTS OF ENTRY

28. OFTEN OVERLOOKED POINTS OF ENTRY
AND NESTING AREAS

30. RAT TRAP PLACEMENT

31. TRAP PLACEMENT

32. TRAP PLACEMENT

33. INSPECTIONS
• THE INSPECTION PROVIDES YOU WITH
VALUABLE INFORMATION.

34. THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE INFESTATION
• IS THE PROBLEM LOCALIZED IN ONE AREA OF THE BUILDING? ARE THE
RODENTS INFESTING SEVERAL ROOMS? HOW SEVERE IS THE
INFESTATION? BY ACCURATELY GATHERING THIS INFORMATION PRIOR
TO ANY CONTROL EFFORTS, TIME AND MONEY CAN BE SAVED BY
DOING A THOROUGH INSPECTION. A COMMON MISTAKE IN RODENT
CONTROL IS TO UNDERESTIMATE THE SEVERITY OF AN INFESTATION
EITHER IN NUMBERS OF ANIMALS OR BY THE AREA INFESTED.

35. THE LOCATION OF RODENT HARBORAGE AND
ACTIVITY AREAS.
• BY INSPECTING FOR VARIOUS RODENT SIGNS, CLUES CAN
BE GATHERED AS TO THE LOCATION OF NESTING AREAS, AS
WELL AS WHERE AND HOW THE RODENTS TRAVEL FROM
NESTS TO THEIR FOOD AND WATER. BY INTENSIFYING YOUR
CONTROL EFFORTS AT THESE LOCATIONS, GREATER
CONTROL CAN BE ACHIEVED.

36. ON THE EXTERIOR...
• IDENTIFY THE RODENT ENTRY AREAS. A THOROUGH
INSPECTION OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING SHOULD BE
CONDUCTED.

37. • AREAS TO INSPECT INCLUDE ALL UTILITY LINES THAT ENTER THE
STRUCTURE THROUGH THE WALLS. ALL OPENINGS AROUND
WATER LINES, AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS, DRAIN PIPES, VENTS
AND ELECTRICAL CONDUITS SHOULD BE INSPECTED.
• OF COURSE, THE SPACES BENEATH DOORS ARE ONE OF THE
MOST COMMON ENTRYWAYS FOR RODENTS. DOORS SHOULD
BE CHECKED TO ENSURE THE LOWER EDGE IS NOT MORE THAN
¼ INCH FROM THE FLOOR. BROKEN BASEMENT WINDOWS AND
UNSCREENED VENTS ALSO ARE COMMON INVASION ROUTES.
• ALSO CHECK STORAGE SHEDS, GARDEN SHEDS AND POTTING
SHEDS ALONG WITH EXTERIOR HEATER CLOSETS.

38. IN THE CASE OF ROOF RAT INSPECTIONS, ROOFS
SHOULD BE CHECKED TO SEE THAT SHEATHING IS
COMPLETE AND THERE ARE NO OPENINGS AT
ROOF JUNCTURES WHERE ONE ROOF OVER LAPS
OR TIES INTO ANOTHER ROOF.
IN ADDITION, CHECK ROOF VENTILATORS, SCREEN
VENTS AND LOUVERED IN-WALL VENTS AND
CHIMNEYS.

39. LOCATE THE AREAS OF RODENT ACTIVITY. THE KEY
TO EFFECTIVE INSPECTIONS IS TO IDENTIFY THE
PRIMARY HARBORAGE, FEEDING AND ACTIVITY
AREAS TO GET THE BEST RESULTS.
TYPICALLY, RODENTS BUILD THEIR NESTS NEAR
FOOD SOURCES. THEREFORE, THE CONTROL
AREAS ARE THOSE AREAS BETWEEN THE NEST AND
FEEDING AREAS.

40. WHEN CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS …..
• WHEN CONDUCTING
INSPECTIONS IT’S A GOOD IDEA
TO THINK IN TERMS OF WHAT
RODENTS REQUIRE. INSPECT THE
BUILDING AND LIST ALL OF THE
AREAS WHERE FOOD IS
AVAILABLE. AN ADULT RAT
REQUIRES UP TO 1 OUNCE OF
FOOD AND WATER DAILY TO
SURVIVE, FOOD HAS TO BE
READILY ACCESSIBLE.
• KEEPING THIS IN MIND DURING
YOUR INSPECTIONS, BEGIN BY
LOCATING ALL AREAS IN AND
OUT OF THE ACCOUNT THAT
PROVIDE FOOD FOR RODENTS.
THIS IS ESPECIALLY USEFUL
WHEN INSPECTING STRUCTURES
WHERE THERE IS A MINOR
INFESTATION AND THE RODENT
ZONE IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT.
KEEP IN MIND IF THERE IS AN
ABUNDANCE OF SNAILS OR
FRUIT THAT COULD BE THE
FOOD AND WATER SOURCE.

41. ON THE INTERIOR...
INSIDE STRUCTURES, A FEW OF THE MORE COMMON RODENT
HARBORAGE LOCATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
• SECLUDED CORNERS (REMEMBER RODENTS
FOLLOW WALL SURFACES AND PREFER
CORNERS BECAUSE THESE AREAS PROVIDE
THEM WITH A SENSE OF SECURITY)

42. • BENEATH AND INSIDE CABINETS
• BENEATH AND WITHIN FURNITURE
• BENEATH AND BEHIND LARGE APPLIANCES
• FLOOR CABINET VOIDS IN KITCHENS
• BASE VOIDS IN DRESSER BUREAUS
• WALL VOIDS
• CEILING VOIDS
• SILL PLATE AREAS ON TOP OF BASEMENT AND
CRAWL SPACE FOUNDATION WALLS
• ATTIC AREAS
• STORAGE AREAS OVER A GARAGE
• BASEMENTS

43. THERE ARE RODENT SIGNS YOU SHOULD LOOK
FOR WITH ROOF RATS:
• 1) DROPPINGS (FECES)
• 2) GNAWING DAMAGE
• 3) RUNWAYS
• 4) TRACKS
• 5) GREASE MARKS (RUB MARKS)
•6) URINE STAINS
•7) VISUAL SIGHTINGS OF LIVE OR DEAD RODENTS
•8) RODENT SOUNDS
•9) RODENT ODORS.

44. GNAWING DAMAGE
• EVIDENCE OF RECENT GNAWING AND/OR DAMAGE AS A
RESULT OF GNAWING IS AN EXCELLENT SIGN FOR
DETERMINING THE PRESENCE OF RODENTS. RODENTS
GNAW ON MANY ITEMS INCLUDING ALUMINUM, MORTAR,
PLASTIC, LEAD AND ANY OTHER ITEMS SOFTER THAN THE
ENAMEL OF THEIR INCISORS.

45. URINE STAINS AND ODORS
• RODENT URINE IS OFTEN DEPOSITED ON THEIR RUNWAYS
AND OTHER FREQUENTED AREAS. UNDER ULTRA-VIOLET
LIGHT, RODENT URINE WILL FLUORESCE YELLOW ON BURLAP
BAGS AND PALE, BLUE-WHITE ON VARIOUS PACKAGING
PAPER. RODENT ODORS ARE OFTEN DETECTABLE
IN ESTABLISHED INFESTATIONS.

46. RODENT SIGHTINGS AND SOUNDS
• OBVIOUSLY, SEEING LIVE RODENTS DURING AN INSPECTION IS
A SURE CONFIRMATION OF AN INFESTATION. VARIOUS
SOUNDS PRODUCED BY RODENTS AND THEIR YOUNG ARE
HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAKS, GNAWING AND SCRATCHING
SOUNDS, AND SOUNDS OF RODENTS MOVING ACROSS AN
ATTIC. RUNWAYS, TRACKS AND GREASE MARKS.
• RUNWAYS ARE USUALLY EVIDENT IN RODENT INFESTATIONS
BECAUSE RODENTS REPEATEDLY USE THE SAME PATHWAYS
BETWEEN THEIR NESTS AND FOOD SOURCES.

47. CONTROL STRATEGIES
• IN SOME SITUATIONS YOU WILL HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF
CONTROL TOOLS AND STRATEGIES FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE.
IN OTHER CASES, HOWEVER, YOUR CONTROL OPTIONS MAY BE
LIMITED DUE TO FOOD EXPOSURE, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR
CHILDREN AND NON-TARGET ANIMALS, AND VARIOUS
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. ALL THIS CAN BE DETERMINED
THROUGH YOUR INSPECTION. OF COURSE, THE GOAL IS NOT
ONLY AN EFFECTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM, BUT A SAFE ONE.

48. You have completed the course.
• YOU ARE READY TO TAKE THE QUIZ AND RECEIVE YOUR
CREDIT.