Roof rats, also called black rats, and house rats, are smaller rats, usually black in color and possessing tails which are longer than their body. Roof rats have larger eyes and ears relative to brown rats and are smaller overall in size. Known for climbing in walls and being difficult to eradicate, rats spread around the world as humans travelled and have become established almost everywhere humans live. Roof rats spend most of their lives in elevated locations, and enjoy climbing in walls, attics, garages, above ceilings and in trees or around ventilation.
Rats are a common pest worldwide, serving as destructive creatures both in residences and commercial, especially agricultural, settings. Rats are known for carrying fleas which can spread a multitude of diseases, making them dangerous for humans. Additionally, rats infest food stores, consuming and spoiling the contents, and make nests in inconvenient places around human habitations. Nest sites can include inside stored boxes and packing materials, clothing, attics and inside walls. Signs of roof rats include noises within walls, partially consumed food, and chewing on and around roof eaves or on wiring.
