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Neotoma
spp.
Characteristics –
Size: Medium-sized rodents whose bodies measure about
eight inches, with the tail slightly shorter than the head and body
combined.
Color: Varies in color from cinnamon to brown, gray,
yellowish gray, or creamy buff, depending on the species and
specimen. The underside is clearly more lightly-colored than the
upper part of the rat.
Pack rats are distinguished from Norway or roof rats by having more
hair on the ears than either of the other two rats.
Behavior –
Pack rats get their name from their habit of taking small, bright or
shiny objects and hoarding them in their nests. They will take beer
can tabs, bottle caps, bits of foil, coins, and jewelry just to name
a few items. Often, sticks or nuts the rat was carrying at the time
are left at the site where the shiny object was acquired, thus the
additional nickname of "trade" rat. They are mainly
nocturnal creatures but may be active during the day. After
establishing themselves within a building, pack rats will feed on
foods within the building but will continue to forage for most of
their food outdoors.
Habitat – Pack rats occur throughout the United
States except in a few states around the Great Lakes and the
northeastern United States. These rats tend to be more of a problem
in buildings in the western part of the country. Most species of
pack rats are excellent climbers and some are actually semi-arboreal
in preference -- meaning they will nest in trees. Others are ground
nesters and will dig burrows in which to live. Numerous rats may
occupy a single den.
Tips for Control – The best ways to avoid
invasions of pack rats are to (1) provide as little harborage as
possible that might attract rodents, and (2) seal as many holes and
cracks in the outside of the home through which rats might enter.
Follow these recommendations to help prevent pack rats from seeking
the food and shelter provided by your home:
 | Keep
firewood stored as far from the home as possible and store it
off the ground. During the winter, store only enough wood next
to the house to burn every couple of days.
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| If
possible, remove any piles of debris, stones, bricks, etc. If
these are near the foundation of the home they serve as
harborages to attract rodents. Once there, it is an easy step
for rodents to enter the building itself.
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| Seal
any hole or crack larger than 1/4 of an inch. Large holes or
cracks should be stuffed with steel wool or wire mesh before
sealing with caulk or foam, otherwise rodents could chew through
to enter.
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| Install
a good, thick weather-strip on the bottom of all doors to
prevent rodents from entering. The garage door may prove
difficult to seal completely, so the door from the garage to the
house must be sealed tightly.
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Pest Control inspects for signs of rodents to
maintain preventive control measures.
Although not a significant health threat, pack rats are
associated with a number of diseases that infect humans,
including plague and lyme disease. For this reason, dead rats
should never be handled using bare hands, and care should be
taken to avoid their ectoparasites, especially fleas and ticks.
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