Roof Rats Citrus Trees

To attract the.

Roof rats citrus trees.

In apples peaches tomatoes carambolas bananas pineapples and mangos large sections of fruit are eaten away. They have now settled into ideal habitat among old growth citrus trees palm trees and other mature landscaping and take advantage of abundant irrigation canals and food resources around homes. Install rat guard around the trunks of the citrus trees. One of the reasons that roof rats have flourished in the east valley is because of the prevalence of backyard fruit trees especially citrus trees.

They get their name. Roof rats are actually black rats though they can be other colors and can be identified by their large ears and scaly tails that are almost always longer than their bodies. Rats also find their way up roofs and trees when there are vines to climb up. Place dropped or spoiled fruit into a secure garbage can.

The rats typically will target the lowest hanging fruit literally. Use a sheet metal or aluminum flashing that is at least 18 inches tall and wrap it around the base of the tree overlapping it by 2 or 3. Half eaten citrus around your home. Rats found in trees are often known as roof rats as they may jump from a roof into the tree.

Set out live traps on ledges branches fences and pipes where fruit rats regularly climb. In nut orchards roof rats often nest around the base of trees. Pick up all dropped fruit on a daily basis. How to get rid of fruit rats.

Place the dropped fruit in a garbage. In citrus it builds leaf and twig nests in trees or it can nest in debris piles thick mulch on the ground or in shallow burrows under the tree especially in hot weather. In 2001 roof rats were documented in phoenix and likely introduced into the area through freight or shipment of food livestock feed or equipment. Roof rats are long and thin rodents that have large eyes and ears a pointed nose and a scaly tail.

This provides the rats with a convenient food source close to warmth and shelter. As we progress through the citrus season from september through march the roof rats that may have been living quietly around your house or grove make themselves known. You can keep roof rats out of trees with wide bands of aluminum flashing wrapped around the trunks but only if the tree can be isolated from other trees fences and other nearby structures from. Hollowed out fruit is the most common evidence of roof rats.