After slow '05, it's party time for roof rats
With bumper crop of citrus, banner year expected for the pesky critters
Diana
Balazs
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 8, 2006 12:00 AM
If early indications hold true, it will be a banner
year for roof rats, with more of the rascally rodents on the way.
Roof rats are being reported in Scottsdale, Arcadia, Ahwatukee, north-central
and northwest Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa.
A roof rat hotline operated by a Phoenix couple is receiving 15 to 20 calls a
day from Valley residents reporting the citrus-eating varmints.
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Barry
Paceley, the Valley's leading lay authority on roof rats, said this year will be
a busy one, with roof rats reproducing thanks to an abundant crop of citrus for
food and moisture and a warm winter.
"It's party time," he said.
Roof rats, easily identified by their long tails, thrive in mature neighborhoods
with citrus trees and ample water. They scour oranges and citrus clean, nest in
attics, scamper across power lines, and gnaw on electrical wiring, causing
fires.
Residents can combat them by keeping their yards clean, picking up fallen fruit,
harvesting their trees and placing bait stations filled with rat poison.
The non-native rodents were first identified in Phoenix's Arcadia neighborhood
more than five years ago. They quickly spread to Scottsdale, Paradise Valley,
the southeast Valley and north-central Phoenix.
"They are heading (west) to Metrocenter," said Paceley, an Arcadia
resident. He and his wife, Joan, run the Arcadia Neighbor to Neighbor campaign,
which includes a hotline number and Web site providing information on roof rats.
The 2005 roof rat season was a quiet one, with fewer than 500 calls fielded by
the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department's hotline. That compares
with about 1,700 calls in 2004, said Brian Ferjak, lead supervisor for
complaints and enforcement.
Ferjak said rodents like any animal species are tied to their habitats.
"There will be more of them when their habitats can support them," he
said.
Ferjak said rodents spotted in West Valley communities such as Peoria and
Glendale are typically native rodents, such as cotton rats, whose nests are
being displaced by development.
* Keep garbage containers tightly covered.
* Store bulk foods in sealed containers.
* Do not leave pet food out, especially overnight.
* Promptly pick up any fallen fruit from citrus trees.
* Harvest citrus crops promptly and completely.
*Sources: Maricopa County and Arcadia Neighbor to Neighbor
Seal
attic of all openings, cracks and holes
Screen vent pipes, attic vents and turbines
Install approved spark arrestor over chimney
Fill all holes in fascia and freeze boards
Repair door and window screens
Check dryer and exhaust vent openings
Secure pet doors at night
Seal garage and storage room doors
Inspect laundry rooms and pantry
Inspect under kitchen and bathroom sinks
Cut
tree branches 24" away from roof edge
Prune interlocking trees
Thin oleanders and clean all debris underneath
Trim and thin all ivy, bushes, and ground cover
Cut back foliage around fences, overhead wires
Remove all debris piles and accumulated junk
Organize all salvage in an orderly manner
Stack firewood on rack 18" above the ground
Clean up and organize any yard shed
Every back yard has numerous sources of food for unwanted
pest and rodents. Vegetable gardens, fruit trees, uncovered trash containers,
nut trees, pet foods and wild bird seed make a virtual wild life grocery.
If roof rats or other rodents are present in your neighborhood, it would be
prudent to do the following:
Promptly and completely harvest fruit and nuts
Safe guard vegetable gardens
Do not leave pet food and water out overnight
Keep yard clean of pet waste
Feed birds on cleanable surface
Supervise water features, ponds and pools
Secure trash containers
BBQ Grills Notice: Roof rats seem to favor BBQ grills, since they are dark and
usually a source of grease and fats from recent outside cooking.
After removing BBQ meats, increase heat and burn off greases
Cover grill after cooling
Dispose of all grease in catch basins