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Roof Rat (Rattus rattus)
Identify it, prevent it, and know when to call. A South Florida guide from Pro-Spray.
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What Is a Roof Rat?
Roof rats are the rats South Florida homeowners deal with most. They're excellent climbers and prefer to live up high: in palm trees, fruit trees, thick vines and, when they can get in, attics and roof spaces. If you hear scratching or running in the ceiling at night, roof rats are the most likely explanation.
They're also called black rats or ship rats, a reminder of how they spread around the world on sailing ships centuries ago.
How to Identify Them
Compared with a Norway rat, the roof rat is sleeker and lighter, with a long, thin tail that's longer than its body, large ears that can be pulled over the eyes, and a pointed snout. Droppings are about 1/2 inch long with pointed ends. You'll rarely see them during the day; most homeowners notice the signs before they see the rat.
Common look-alikes:
- Norway rat: heavier, with a blunt nose, small ears and a tail shorter than its body. See our Norway rat guide.
- House mouse: much smaller, with smaller droppings.
Life Cycle and Habits
Roof rats breed throughout the year in our climate. Young rats grow quickly and can start breeding within a few months, so a small problem can become a bigger one if entry points stay open. They nest in attics, wall voids, palm skirts, dense vegetation and stored items.
They feed on fruit, nuts, seeds, pet food, bird seed, snails and garbage, and they'll travel along power lines, fences and branches to reach food. They're cautious of new objects, which is one reason homeowners struggle with traps.
Signs of an Infestation
- Scratching, scurrying or gnawing in the ceiling or walls at night
- Droppings in the attic, garage, pantry or along shelves
- Gnawed fruit left hanging on trees, or hollowed citrus and mangoes
- Greasy rub marks along beams, pipes and entry holes
- Chewed wiring, A/C duct insulation or stored boxes
- Pets staring at or pawing at walls and ceilings
Is it dangerous?
- Disease risk
- Property damage
- Contamination
Contaminate food and surfaces, gnaw wiring and A/C ducts, can carry diseases and parasites.
Why They Show Up in South Florida Homes
Our neighborhoods are made for roof rats. Royal and coconut palms, ficus hedges, mango and avocado trees, bird feeders and backyard fruit give them food and highways. Branches touching the roof, gaps at roof returns and soffits, unscreened gable vents and openings around A/C lines let them into the attic. Construction and storms can push them from nearby areas into homes.
Prevention Tips
- Trim trees, palms and vines back from the roof and walls.
- Pick up fallen fruit and harvest ripe fruit promptly.
- Remove bird feeders or keep spilled seed cleaned up.
- Store pet food and bird seed in metal or heavy plastic bins.
- Screen gable and soffit vents and seal openings around pipes and A/C lines.
- Keep garages and sheds organized and off the floor.
How Pro-Spray Treats Roof Rats
Rodent control starts with a thorough inspection of the roofline, attic access, landscaping and the exterior of the home to find how rats are getting in. From there we use trapping and tamper-resistant bait stations placed safely for kids and pets, and we'll recommend exclusion work (sealing entry points) so new rats can't move in. Follow-up visits check traps and stations and confirm activity has stopped.
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+ FREE inspection
Then stay protected with our $125 quarterly pest control plan, about $42/month.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have roof rats?
Are rats in palm trees common in South Florida?
Why do I hear noises in my ceiling at night?
Do roof rats carry disease?
¿Tienen ratas en el techo?
Reviewed October 2026 by Pro-Spray's family-run team
Pests don't wait.
Protect your home today.
Get $50 OFF your first pest service and a FREE inspection & estimate. Ongoing protection is $125 quarterly (about $42/month), with no contracts and no cancellation fees.
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