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People with too much stuff aren’t the only pack rats. Arizona is home to a large number of these desert-dwelling rodents. Unfortunately, Arizona homes and communities are becoming more attractive to the pack rat population than their native desert habitats.
The pack rat is common in the Arizona desert areas. Arizona pack rats, also known as woodrats, are different in appearance from other types of rats. Pack rats have long, furry tails, white feet, and a white underbelly. The Arizona pack rat may also be larger than other types of rats, growing up to eight inches in length.
Pack rats are more than just a nuisance: they can cause damage to homes, spread disease, and attract other pests. This guide covers the essentials, from behavior and nesting habits to how to prevent pack rats on your property.
If you have a rodent problem, Western Exterminator knows how to solve it. Contact us today at 800-937-8398 to book your free pest inspection.
A single pack rat can give birth every six to eight weeks to litters of two to six rats. The offspring can multiply six to eight weeks after that. With their short life cycles, an infestation can occur and get worse very quickly. Pack rats are nest builders that generally choose high cliffs, caves, or tree branches when in the wild. In the home, pack rats will usually choose attics or other high areas. When building a nest, pack rats will use any available debris or materials.
Pack rats differ greatly from many species of wildlife in that they often live alone. Unlike roof rats or other common rodents that live in groups, a single pack rat can occupy a space and start building a midden—a nest—using twigs, leaves, and other materials. This solitary behavior doesn't make them less of a health risk—in fact, it can make spotting an early pack rat problem more difficult, with the intruders often unnoticed until the damage is already done.
These rats are part of the desert ecosystem but often migrate to neighboring communities. Life is hard in the desert for these small animals, as they’re on the menu for bobcats, owls, and other larger predators. The suburbs offer access to fleshier cacti and better nesting opportunities.
Pack rats can be very vocal and noisy, especially when building a nest. This noise is often what alerts owners to the possibility of an infestation. This excessive noise can be an annoyance for homeowners, especially as pack rats are nocturnal pests.
Pack rats may carry parasites and diseases like Lyme disease, plague, and tularemia, which can be dangerous for pets and people. Pack rat urine and feces can also cause disease. Pack rat nests are often covered in urine and feces, making it dangerous to remove nests without the help of a rat control expert. Pack rat nests may also harbor spiders, scorpions, fleas, ticks, and kissing bugs.
This type of rat may not look as threatening as many other rodents, but, the damage a pack rat can do to your property makes it a hazard. Since pack rats often get into attics and other enclosed areas of the home, they can potentially cause damage to wiring and insulation with their gnawing and chewing. Although they make nests outside, they go indoors mainly to gnaw and chew.
Pack rats may also damage items stored in nesting areas and use materials for nests. Anything stored in areas where pack rats have nested runs the risk of being contaminated with pack rat feces or urine.
Using poison or bait to control pack rat infestations in Arizona is discouraged, as pack rats are natural prey for many species of wildlife. The poison used to kill the pack rat will kill predators that feed on pack rats, which can unintentionally cause a larger pack rat infestation in the area and kill endangered species. Live trapping by a licensed professional is recommended for pack rat infestations.
Make your home less attractive to these annoying rodents and reduce the chances of a pack rat problem before it starts.
Clear seed pods, twigs, and nesting materials like leaves and other clutter from your lawn. These items act as perfect building blocks for pack rat nests. Be sure to inspect areas near water sources, as these can also attract rodents searching for hydration in dry environments.
The pack rat hates sunlight, so nests are usually found in dark, hidden spaces, burrowed under objects, or tucked beneath cacti. If you discover a nest, let sunlight in or block off the spot entirely. Follow these steps for extra prevention:
Live trapping is generally considered to be the most effective and humane way to control pack rat infestations. Traps are set in the area of pack rat nests within the home, and exterminators check the traps periodically to remove and release the rats. This system will continue until all rats have been successfully removed.
After a pack rat infestation has been eliminated by our pest control experts, it’s important to maintain rat pack deterrence. Continue to seal up gaps and remove possible nesting materials and food sources that can attract pack rats and other pests. Pest prevention is an ongoing process, but it will soon feel like routine.
It’s also important to have a thorough and deep clean of the area where the rats were nesting. Western Exterminator can help clean the area, but it may also be helpful to use disinfectants and safely dispose of any cloths or sponges used afterward.
In addition to finding nests, you may notice that your patio furniture pillows have been chewed. Other signs of an infestation can include rat pellets and the sound of scurrying feet above you. If you think you have a pack rat living on your property, don’t try to poison it. This DIY method is unsafe and ineffective on many levels. Rodenticides should be handled by an expert pest control company, like Western Exterminator.
Pack rats can cause damage to your home and belongings, or commercial property. Instead of attempting to handle the infestation yourself, call in the professionals at Western Exterminator. We provide pest control services that get results without endangering people and other animals in Arizona communities. From one-off inspections to our year-round pest protection plan, PestFree365+, Western has you covered.1
Western Exterminator rodent experts can help control rodents and advise you on how to keep them from coming back. If you think you’ve got rodents at your home or business, contact us today.
1 Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.