Florida Roof Rat Disease
In south florida there are several species of rats.
Florida roof rat disease. These diseases can be spread through direct contact with rodents or their feces urine or saliva or through rodent bites. Roof rats are the worst rodent pest in the. They are good climbers and only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain entry. They sometimes co exist with sewer rats though they like to be up high.
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. Being bitten by ticks mites or fleas that have been feeding on sick rodents can also spread diseases. Rodents are know to spread as many as 35 different diseases to humans worldwide. However roof rat diseases are the most serious concern for people and pets.
Bubonic plague was a scourge in europe several times throughout history. Historically infected fleas have transmitted serious plagues from rats to humans. When people think of rats they might not think of florida. There are several diseases roof rats can transmit to humans.
Roof rats can be carriers of diseases. Types of roof rat diseases. These pests cause significant damage through their gnawing nesting and burrowing habits. From rat bites and scratches to saliva and urine rats can cause many diseases.
Roof rats will invade homes any time of the year including in the summer season in order to escape the heat. Also known as black rats as well as palm rats fruit rats or citrus rats because of their largely vegetarian diets roof rats are the most common type of rat that is found in florida. Roof rats are a health hazard being one of the oldest transmitters of diseases. When it comes to roof rats it is important to understand what they look like.
The sleek black roof rat is one of the most common species of rats in the united states. 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. Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps. The most invasive species that is found living in the highest numbers is the roof rat.
Roof rats get ferocious and tend to bite or scratch when threatened or cornered. They can transmit these diseases through physical contact bites by contamination or by fleas that are feeding on the rodent. This rat is the same species that carried the bubonic plague around the world and is also the reservoir host for murine typhus. Terminix a company that deals with pest and rodent.
Roof rats can have up to 8 litters per year each bearing 6 8 rats. Roof rats are excellent climbers and they often prefer to build their nests up high in attics or in beams near the roof. These bites or scratches can cause what is known as rat bite fever or even tetanus. Roof rats will nest in trees woodpiles garbage and plants but they generally like inside high places like attics.