Rats And Possums In The Roof

In dense populations these rodents will establish a social hierarchy wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males.

Rats and possums in the roof.

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. The dietary pattern of a possum makes it a highly beneficial species for humans. Rats are always omnivorous whereas possums are usually herbivores and opportunistic omnivores. Unlike rats and mice they produce a large volume of urine so stains on a ceiling will usually indicate possums.

Rats have long hairless tail while possums have long hairy tail with a bushy appearance. Get rid of roof rats in four basic steps. Possum is native to oceania but rats have a worldwide distribution. Some other ways to deter them are.

If you catch a possum you must release it within 24 hours and it must be at night. Rat droppings urine and nest can contain dangerous pathogens and bacteria that can make you very sick. 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. Possum sprays nurseries hardware stores and supermarkets stock a range of possum deterrent sprays or you can make your own.

Put the trap in the roof near the possum s access point and check it every morning. That factor also creates a distinctive possum smell which is easily recognised with a bit of experience. In fact not just rats they are found to feed on most of the rodents that cause problems to humans. You can also put spikes along fences to keep them from using these as a highway.

You may see rat droppings. Yes possums can eat rats. Possums mainly catch and eat rats roof rats and mice apart from preying on other rodents. Cut back trees that are growing near you home so possums don t have easy access to your roof.

Roof rats become sexually mature between two and five months producing four to six litters per year that consist of six to eight young each. The common lifespan of these rodents is about one year. If you have roof rats you may see rat droppings around your home outside your home or in your yard. Whether they are roof rats also called black rats or norway rats munching on your fruit the average homeowner can usually eradicate them from the landscape without calling in the professionals.

Usually possums are nocturnal but rats are both nocturnal and diurnal. Most councils have wire mesh possum traps you can rent. Rats and mice constantly move around except when nesting.