{"id":7050740,"date":"2026-08-29T08:15:32","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T08:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/uncategorized\/signs-of-roof-rats-common-signs-of-roof-rats-in-phoenix\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T08:15:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T08:15:32","slug":"signs-of-roof-rats-common-signs-of-roof-rats-in-phoenix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=7050740","title":{"rendered":"Signs of Roof Rats | Common Signs of Roof Rats in Phoenix"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n    <video autoplay=\"\" loop=\"\" muted=\"\" playsinline=\"\" preload=\"auto\" poster=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roof-rat-issues.jpg\"><source src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/progressive_redirect\/playback\/926055476\/rendition\/1080p\/file.mp4?loc=external&amp;log_user=0&amp;signature=5914eef3d361d964679c58231cf54426b29ce3f1809bb47f7fdcac2c764f0962\" type=\"video\/mp4\">Your browser does not support embedded video. Watch KY-KO\u2019s roof rat overview on our YouTube channel.<br \/>\n    <\/source><\/video>\n  <\/p>\n<div>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 1 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-roof-rats\">What Roof Rats Are \u2014 and How They Got Here<\/h2>\n<p>The roof rat (<em>Rattus rattus<\/em>), also called the black rat or ship rat, is one of the most successful animals on the planet \u2014 it lives wherever people live. As the name suggests, it prefers to nest up high: in attics, along rooflines, and in the dense fronds of palm trees. Adults run 13 to 18 inches from nose to tail, with a tail longer than the body, and they are agile climbers that travel power lines, fences, and block walls like highways.<\/p>\n<p>They are not native to Arizona. Roof rats first turned up in the Valley around 2001 in the citrus-heavy Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix \u2014 most accounts trace them to fruit shipments arriving from coastal states. From Arcadia they spread east and south through Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert, following the Valley\u2019s backyard citrus. Maricopa County\u2019s vector control division has tracked their march across the East Valley ever since.<\/p>\n<p>\n      <span class=\"kp-rule-label\">Citable Fact: The Head Rule<\/span><br \/>\n      A roof rat can push through an opening about the size of a quarter \u2014 roughly half an inch. Because a rat only has to fit its skull through a gap, anything that admits the head lets the rest of the body follow, and rats will gnaw a smaller hole wider. That single fact is why sealing entry points, not just trapping, is what keeps them out for good.\n    <\/p>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 2 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-phoenix\">Why the Phoenix Metro Is Roof-Rat Country<\/h2>\n<p>Drop a rat that eats fruit, climbs like a squirrel, and needs steady water into a valley full of backyard citrus, mature landscaping, tile roofs, and irrigation, and you have close to ideal habitat. A few Phoenix-specific factors stack up:<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-warning\">\n<p>What makes Valley neighborhoods so hospitable<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Backyard citrus.<\/strong> Fallen and ripening oranges, grapefruit, and lemons are the single biggest draw \u2014 food and moisture in one place, year-round.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mature landscaping.<\/strong> Palm fronds, oleander hedges, and thick shrubs give rats cover and connect one yard to the next.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tile roofs and open eaves.<\/strong> The micro-gaps under Valley tile roofs and at soffit and eave transitions are natural entry points into attics.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Block walls and power lines.<\/strong> The Valley\u2019s block-wall fences and overhead lines are elevated travel routes straight to the roof.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Introduced water.<\/strong> Irrigation, drip lines, AC condensate, and pet bowls add water to a landscape that would otherwise limit rat numbers.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>The older, greener East Valley pockets \u2014 the Arcadia citrus corridor, established parts of Tempe and Mesa, and the leafier Gilbert neighborhoods \u2014 tend to see the heaviest, most persistent pressure. But roof rats do not read city limits: two houses on the same street can have wildly different experiences depending on citrus, clutter, and how well each home is sealed.<\/p>\n<p>\n      <span class=\"kp-rule-label\">KY-KO Field Observation<\/span><br \/>\n      Roof rats are active year-round in the Valley, but the calls climb through the cooler months. In KY-KO\u2019s experience across the Phoenix metro, roof rat activity tends to peak from roughly <strong>October through February<\/strong> \u2014 the stretch when rats move toward the warmth of attics and backyard citrus is ripening. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension similarly notes that roof rats are most active in the cooler part of the year and can travel 200 to 300 feet a night in search of food.\n    <\/p>\n<figure class=\"kp-img\">\n      <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A roof rat hiding under the clay roof tiles of a Phoenix-area home\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roof-rat-issues.jpg?quality=89&amp;ssl=1\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/roof-rat-issues.jpg?quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"A roof rat hiding under the clay roof tiles of a Phoenix-area home\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption>Roof rats nest high \u2014 under tile roofs, in attics, and in palm fronds \u2014 which is exactly why they are so hard to spot until the signs pile up.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 3 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"warning-signs\">The Warning Signs to Watch For<\/h2>\n<p>Most homeowners first realize they have a problem when they find a rat, alive or dead, in or around the house. Because roof rats live in colonies, a single rat is never a random one-off \u2014 it is a signal. Even without a sighting, these are the tells worth checking for:<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist\">\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Hollowed-out citrus.<\/strong> Fruit on the ground with the inside eaten out and mostly rind left behind is a classic roof rat calling card. Birds peck; rats hollow.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Noises in the attic after dark.<\/strong> Scratching, scurrying, or gnawing overhead once the house goes quiet at night is one of the most reliable signs, since roof rats nest above the ceiling.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Droppings.<\/strong> Roof rat droppings are dark, about half an inch long, and spindle-shaped with pointed ends \u2014 distinct from the shorter, blunt droppings of a Norway rat. Look along beams, in the garage, and near citrus.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Gnaw marks.<\/strong> Rats gnaw constantly. Chewed wood, plastic, and \u2014 dangerously \u2014 electrical wiring around eaves, awnings, and attic fixtures all point to activity, and chewed wiring is a real fire risk.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Grease and rub marks.<\/strong> Roof rats follow the same routes nightly, leaving dark, greasy smudges along beams, pipes, and wall edges where their oily fur rubs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Odd pet behavior.<\/strong> Cats and dogs that suddenly fixate on the ceiling or a wall often hear or smell rats long before you do. Take the hint and look closer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-checklist-item\">\n<p><strong>Sightings on the wires.<\/strong> Rats running along power lines, fence tops, or darting out of shrubs at dusk are often the first thing neighbors notice.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 4 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"identify\">Roof Rat vs. Pack Rat vs. Norway Rat<\/h2>\n<p>Getting the species right matters, because the control approach changes with it. Three rodents turn up in the Valley, and they behave very differently.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"kp-table\">\n<caption>How to tell the Valley\u2019s three rats apart<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Trait<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Roof Rat<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Pack Rat<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Norway Rat<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Where it nests<\/td>\n<td>High \u2014 attics, rooflines, palm fronds, trees<\/td>\n<td>Ground level \u2014 stick-and-debris \u201cmiddens\u201d in the yard<\/td>\n<td>Low \u2014 burrows, foundations, ground floors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Build<\/td>\n<td>Slender, agile climber; tail longer than body<\/td>\n<td>Stocky desert native; furry tail<\/td>\n<td>Heavy, thick-bodied; tail shorter than body<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Droppings<\/td>\n<td>~1\/2 inch, pointed ends<\/td>\n<td>Scattered near the nest midden<\/td>\n<td>Larger, blunt ends<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Draw to your home<\/td>\n<td>Citrus, attics, roofline routes<\/td>\n<td>Clutter, cactus, packrat-friendly cover<\/td>\n<td>Garbage, ground-level food, burrow sites<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Most common in the Valley?<\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-yes\">Yes \u2014 the dominant Phoenix rat<\/span><\/td>\n<td>Common in desert-edge yards<\/td>\n<td>Less common here than roof rats<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>If the rat is nesting up high and hollowing your citrus, you are almost certainly dealing with a roof rat. When in doubt, a technician can confirm the species and match the plan to it \u2014 book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/roof-rats\">roof rat removal service<\/a> inspection and skip the guesswork.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 5 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dangerous\">Are Roof Rats Dangerous?<\/h2>\n<p>Potentially, yes \u2014 on two fronts. Roof rats are longtime disease carriers; black rats are the same species that spread plague through medieval Europe via infected fleas. Plague is vanishingly unlikely in suburban Phoenix (the rare Arizona cases occur in wilderness areas), but roof rats here can still carry typhus, leptospirosis (jaundice), salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever, spread through droppings, urine, fleas, or bites. Their constant gnawing on wiring is also a genuine fire hazard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-warning\">\n<p>Do not clean this up yourself<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Do not enter the attic to investigate. Rat droppings, urine, and nesting material can carry bacteria that become airborne when disturbed.<\/li>\n<li>Do not handle a rat or nest, dead or alive. Cornered rats can act aggressively, and fleas leave a dead host looking for a new one.<\/li>\n<li>Leave removal and cleanup to a professional with the right protective equipment. If you have found a rat or its droppings, that is the point to call for an inspection.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Here in the Valley, KY-KO offers a free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/rodent-control\">rodent control<\/a> inspection so you are not the one crawling into the attic to find out how bad it is.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 6 &mdash; HOWTO --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"prevention\">How to Make Your Property Less Attractive to Roof Rats<\/h2>\n<p>Like all pests, roof rats need shelter, food, and water. Take those away and seal the building, and they move on to an easier target. None of the steps below require a professional to begin \u2014 though sealing is the one most worth having done right.<\/p>\n<ol class=\"kp-howto\">\n<li class=\"kp-howto-step\">\n<div class=\"kp-howto-body\">\n<h3>Cut off the food supply<\/h3>\n<p>Pick up fallen citrus daily and harvest ripe fruit promptly \u2014 it is the number-one attractant in the Valley. Bring pet food indoors overnight, keep trash and compost bins tightly sealed, and store pantry staples and pet food in metal or hard plastic containers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kp-howto-step\">\n<div class=\"kp-howto-body\">\n<h3>Remove standing water<\/h3>\n<p>Water is the desert\u2019s limiting factor, so any reliable source keeps rats close. Fix irrigation and drip-line leaks, repair dripping hose bibs, address AC condensate pooling, and pick up pet water bowls at night.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kp-howto-step\">\n<div class=\"kp-howto-body\">\n<h3>Take away the shelter and the highways<\/h3>\n<p>Trim tree branches at least four feet back from the roofline, thin dense oleander and dead palm fronds, and clear yard clutter, woodpiles, and ground-level cardboard. You are removing both hiding spots and the routes rats use to reach the roof.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kp-howto-step\">\n<div class=\"kp-howto-body\">\n<h3>Seal the entry points<\/h3>\n<p>Remember the head rule: a gap the size of a quarter is enough. Close eave and soffit gaps, screen attic and roof vents, and seal around roof penetrations and utility lines with chew-resistant material. This is where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/home-sealing\">KY-KO\u2019s 25-step home sealing process<\/a> does the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"kp-howto-step\">\n<div class=\"kp-howto-body\">\n<h3>Inspect from the ground, then call for the rest<\/h3>\n<p>Walk the exterior at dusk looking for droppings, gnaw marks, grease trails, and hollowed citrus. Do not go into the attic yourself. If you find evidence \u2014 or you are seeing rats on the wires \u2014 schedule a professional inspection to confirm the extent and the entry points.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 7 &mdash; TRAP VS POISON --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"trap-vs-poison\">Trap-and-Seal vs. Poison: Why the Approach Matters<\/h2>\n<p>When rats show up, the instinct is to reach for bait. It is understandable, but for most Phoenix homes it is the weaker option \u2014 and it carries risks worth understanding before you scatter rodenticide around the yard.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"kp-table\">\n<caption>Two ways to deal with roof rats<\/caption>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Consideration<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Trap-and-Seal (Exclusion)<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Rodenticide Bait<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Where the rat dies<\/td>\n<td>In a trap you can find and remove<\/td>\n<td>Often in a wall void or attic \u2014 hidden, and it smells<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Stops the next rat?<\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-yes\">Yes \u2014 sealing closes the entry points<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-no\">No \u2014 new rats use the same open gaps<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Risk to pets<\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-yes\">Low \u2014 no poison in play<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-no\">Secondary poisoning if a pet eats bait or a poisoned rat<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Risk to owls &amp; hawks<\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-yes\">Low<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"kp-no\">Poisons the raptors that naturally hunt rats<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Long-term result<\/td>\n<td>Rats removed and kept out<\/td>\n<td>Population dips, then rebounds through the same gaps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>That last row is the crux. Bait can knock a population down, but if the eaves, vents, and roofline are still open, the next colony simply moves in through the same gaps. Poison also has a downside people rarely think about: a rat that eats bait wanders off and dies where you cannot reach it, and the same toxin travels up the food chain into the barn owls and hawks that are the Valley\u2019s most effective natural rat control \u2014 plus it puts curious pets at risk.<\/p>\n<p>KY-KO leads with trapping and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/home-sealing\">home sealing<\/a>, supported by habitat correction, for exactly these reasons. It is the more responsible approach and, because it closes the door behind the last rat, the more durable one. Homeowners who want the lowest-impact options can also ask about KY-KO\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/green-pest-control-solutions\">green, IPM-based pest control<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- SECTION 8 --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"kyko-approach\">How KY-KO Handles Roof Rats<\/h2>\n<p>Getting rid of a roof rat colony takes more than setting a few traps and calling it done. It takes a strategy that removes the current rats and denies the food, water, shelter, and access that let them settle in the first place. KY-KO Pest Prevention has been doing exactly that across the Valley since 1998 \u2014 long enough to have worked the roof rat problem from its Arcadia beginnings through today\u2019s East Valley spread.<\/p>\n<div class=\"kp-rule\">\n      <span class=\"kp-rule-label\">KY-KO\u2019s Roof Rat Process<\/span><br \/>\n      <strong>1. Free inspection.<\/strong> A state-certified technician confirms roof rat activity, identifies nesting and food sources, and \u2014 critically \u2014 finds the entry points.<br \/>\n      <strong>2. Trap and remove.<\/strong> Targeted trapping clears the active colony, with rats you can account for rather than poisoned ones dying in the walls.<br \/>\n      <strong>3. Seal and correct.<\/strong> Home sealing closes the gaps rats use to get in, and habitat recommendations remove what drew them to the property. Every service is backed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/about-us\">Owner\u2019s Pride Guarantee<\/a>.\n    <\/div>\n<p>KY-KO works out of Mesa and serves <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/mesa-az-pest-control-termites-scorpions-bees-bed-bugs\">Mesa<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/tempe-az-pest-control-termites-scorpions-bees-bed-bugs\">Tempe<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/gilbert-az-pest-control-termites-scorpions-bees-bed-bugs\">Gilbert<\/a>, Chandler, Scottsdale, and communities across the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/service-areas\">Phoenix metro<\/a> \u2014 the citrus-belt neighborhoods where roof rats are most entrenched. If you are hearing something in the attic or finding hollowed fruit in the yard, start with a free inspection: request one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/request-a-free-pest-inspection\">online here<\/a> or call <strong>(480) 964-8900<\/strong>. You can also read what Valley homeowners say on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/reviews\">reviews page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kp-img\">\n      <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"KY-KO Pest Prevention roof rat inspection for a Phoenix-area home showing signs of rodent activity\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Signs-Of-Roof-Rats-In-Phoenix-Homes.jpg?quality=89&amp;ssl=1\"\/><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/Signs-Of-Roof-Rats-In-Phoenix-Homes.jpg?quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"KY-KO Pest Prevention roof rat inspection for a Phoenix-area home showing signs of rodent activity\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption>A ground-level and attic-safe inspection is the first step in a roof rat plan \u2014 confirming the species, the food sources, and the entry points before any trapping begins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"kp-divider\"\/>\n<p>    <!-- FAQ --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"kp-faq\">\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>What are the warning signs of roof rats in a Phoenix home?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">The most common signs are hollowed-out citrus on the ground, scratching or scurrying noises in the attic at night, dark spindle-shaped droppings about half an inch long with pointed ends, gnaw marks on wood and wiring, greasy rub trails along beams and walls, and pets fixating on the ceiling. Because roof rats live in colonies, even one sighting usually means more are nearby.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>Why are roof rats so common in the Phoenix metro?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">Roof rats first turned up in the Arcadia area of Phoenix around 2001 and spread east through Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert along the Valley\u2019s citrus belt. Backyard citrus gives them year-round food and moisture, mature landscaping and palm fronds give them cover, and power lines, block walls, and tile roofs give them highways into attics. It is close to ideal habitat.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>How small a gap can a roof rat squeeze through?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">A roof rat can push through an opening about the size of a quarter, roughly half an inch. Because a rat only needs to fit its skull through, any gap that admits the head lets the rest of the body follow. That is why sealing entry points is central to keeping them out, and why a gap that looks too small to matter often is not.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>When is roof rat season in Phoenix?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">Roof rats are active year-round in the Valley, but pressure climbs through the cooler months. In KY-KO\u2019s experience, roof rat calls rise from roughly October through February, when rats move toward the warmth of attics and backyard citrus ripens. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension notes that roof rats are most active in the cooler part of the year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>Are roof rats dangerous?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">They can be. Roof rats can carry diseases including typhus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever, spread through droppings, urine, fleas, or bites. Their gnawing on wiring is also a fire risk. If you find a rat or a nest, do not handle it and do not enter the attic yourself. Have a professional wearing proper protection handle the removal and cleanup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>How do you tell a roof rat apart from a pack rat or a Norway rat?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">Roof rats are slender climbers, 13 to 18 inches nose to tail with a tail longer than the body, and they nest high in attics and trees. Their droppings are about half an inch and pointed at the ends. Pack rats are stockier desert natives that build stick nests at ground level. Norway rats are heavier ground-burrowers with blunt droppings. Correct identification matters because the control approach differs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>Is trapping or poison better for roof rats?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">For most Phoenix homes, a combination of trapping and sealing works better than poison. Rodenticide bait sends poisoned rats off to die in wall voids and attics, creating odor problems, and it poses a secondary-poisoning risk to pets and to the owls and hawks that hunt rats. Trapping removes rats you can account for, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kykopestprevention.com\/home-sealing\">sealing the entry points<\/a> stops the next ones from getting in. KY-KO leads with trap-and-seal for that reason.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"kp-faq-item\">\n<p>What does KY-KO Pest Prevention do about roof rats?<\/p>\n<p class=\"kp-faq-a\">KY-KO starts with a free inspection to confirm roof rat activity and find the entry points. Treatment combines targeted trapping, habitat correction to remove food and water, and home sealing to physically close the gaps rats use to get inside. Serving the Valley since 1998, KY-KO backs every service with the Owner\u2019s Pride Guarantee.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your browser does not support embedded video. Watch KY-KO\u2019s roof rat overview on our YouTube channel. What Roof Rats Are \u2014 and How They Got Here The roof rat (Rattus rattus), also called the black rat or ship rat, is one of the most successful animals on the planet \u2014 it lives wherever people live. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7050741,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12379,154268],"tags":[11514,3804,25875,18519,4840],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-7050740","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pest-control","category-roof-rats","tag-common","tag-phoenix","tag-rats","tag-roof","tag-signs"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Signs of Roof Rats | Common Signs of Roof Rats in Phoenix - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/som2nypost.com\/?p=7050740\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Signs of Roof Rats | Common Signs of Roof Rats in Phoenix - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Your browser does not support embedded video. Watch KY-KO\u2019s roof rat overview on our YouTube channel. What Roof Rats Are \u2014 and How They Got Here The roof rat (Rattus rattus), also called the black rat or ship rat, is one of the most successful animals on the planet \u2014 it lives wherever people live. 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