Nature has some tell-tale signs for changing seasons—falling leaves for autumn, fresh buds in summer, frosty air and snow for winter, and hot, humid air in spring. Changing seasons means a change in wardrobe and lifestyle for humans; however, this can also mean the same thing for rats, which are Phoenix’s nasty pests. While rats prove to be a year-round problem in the area, certain circumstances dependent on the season dictate their behavior.

If you’re a Phoenix houseowner, here’s a quick guide to keep your home rat-free:

What Type Of Rat Are You?

Arizona is home to not just one, but several species of rats: pack rat, cotton rat, Norway, and roof rats. Native pack rat species include the bushy-tailed, white-throated, desert, Mexican, and Stephen’s. Cotton rat species, on the other hand, include the Arizona cotton rat, yellow-nosed, the Tawny-bellied, and hispid cotton rats. 

There are also rat species that have made their way from other parts of the world into the US and, most specifically, into the Valley, such as the Norway rat and the roof rat. The Norway or sewer rat came to North America aboard ships in the 17th and 18th centuries, while the roof rat, also known as the black rat, ship rat, or house rat, originated in Southeast Asia and may have come to the Phoenix area by way of freight, or food or livestock equipment shipment. Its existence in the area was known in 2001 and has become a nuisance ever since. Cotton rats are considered as agricultural pests, while pack, Norway, and roof rats are typically found in urban and built environments.  

The damage rats can cause to homes and property could be considerable, given their ability to hollow out citrus fruits, gnaw on wires and furniture, damage cars, colonize abandoned sheds, and dwell in garages. Rats also pose health hazards, ranging from bites, infections, and allergies, as well as serve as carriers for life-threatening arenavirus and hantavirus. 

These various types of rodents can be burdensome, thus, it’s vital for homeowners to be on the lookout and perform premeditative measures to keep them away from residences. But, in the event that your home becomes rat-infested, it’s best to hire a company to permanently solve the problem.   

Rats For All Seasons

Rats endemic to the Phoenix area cause perennial problems for houseowners as it coincides with their feeding and breeding patterns. Rodents favor the pleasant weather during winter and spring, and prefer to stay outdoors, feeding on a variety of fruits and seeds. Rats can also feed on stored food and livestock feed, and take advantage of bird baths and pet watering dishes.

Norway rats create nests below ground—in building foundations, beneath rubbish, and dense shrubbery. Pack rats also construct their burrows in shady areas, such as wood piles, house debris, and plant bases, while cotton rats build their nests amongst dense vegetation, and also in fallen tree trunks and branches. 

Breeding occurs during warmer months, resulting into an increase in all rodent populations. Female roof rats begin to reproduce around three months and can produce five to eight pups per year. The Arizona cotton rat female is sexually active at 40 days, and can produce one to 15 pups, while throated pack rats can have two to five pups and mature at two months of age. Rat populations can increase exponentially, with a female capable of producing 40 rats in their five-year lifespan. 

Fall Is (Roof) Rat Season    

The changing of the colors of leaves indicate transition from warm summer weather to a more temperate season. Fall serves as a season for growing fruits and traditional gatherings. This also serves as a signal for mice to head for warmer shelters, and your attic, garage, or shed could be their next target.

As the temperature drops, female rats instinctively seek to find cozy nests for their babies. Once they gain access, pack rats can settle in attics and dropped ceiling voids. The same is true with roof rats, hence their name. These prefer undisturbed portions of homes and even invade abandoned structures. Pups mature in less than three months, and once they become sexually mature, they can become notorious breeders, resulting into a full-blown infestation. 

While the changing of seasons increases rat populations, fall season can be used to rat-proof your house, and even change your mentality and behavior about rats. Before you sharpen knives for pumpkin carving or find that perfect Turkey for Thanksgiving, you can consider raking up the leaves, cleaning your sheds, and keeping food, especially fruits, indoors to deny rodents their basic needs and have them looking elsewhere besides your home.