Catherine Schaeffer, Dansco Real Estate Group
Having grown up in Washington, D.C., and a city kid, I was fairly tolerant of rodents. We had city rats (as long as 20 inches and 2 pounds)! But I’ve been in Arizona now for over 30 years, and my tolerance has greatly diminished.
Because of Arizona’s mild winter weather and abundance of fruit trees, we have a great environment for citrus/roof rats to flourish. Rats are not discerning in their taste, and pomegranate, fig, and avocado trees are all equally acceptable to our furry friends. As a matter of fact, any fruiting tree has the potential to be a smorgasbord to them.
The East Valley has seen a huge increase in rat activity over the past few years, according to the City of Chandler’s HOA Academy. If the environment near your home is changing, or if you have neighbors who are not maintaining their fruiting trees, chances are you may have some unwelcome guests. Inspecting your home thoroughly is your first step to avoiding an infestation.
What you can do to avoid an infestation
• Do not allow citrus to stay on trees. Pick the fruit as soon as it is ripe. If you cannot eat all of your citrus, consider removing the tree or donating the fruit to a food bank or properly disposing of the fruit. The HOA offers assistance—just reach out.
• Keep your yard clean and clear of debris and fallen citrus.
• Keep any dense bushes trimmed to at least one foot from the ground.
• Talk to your neighbors. Get an idea if they’re experiencing problems, and work together as a team to solve them.
What to look for
• Droppings. Rats poop a lot. If you are being invaded, you will see it.
• Stashed food, usually dog food. Rats will steal and stash food in small areas behind appliances and cabinets.
Ways they can get in
• Rats can enter in an area as small as the diameter of a quarter. They will enter any area that is accessible.
• Dog doors
• Attic
• Unsealed plumbing protrusions
What to do If you find evidence
• Snap traps are effective and humane, which makes them the best tool.
• Rodent bait works, but be diligent and cautious. Be careful of killing non-target animals.
• If you want long-term, effective results, hire an educated, trustworthy professional.
What you can do to avoid an infestation
• After an inspection, seal any obvious entry areas.
• Do not allow fruit to stay on trees. Pick the fruit as soon as it is ripe.
• Keep your yard clean and clear of debris and fallen fruit.
• Keep any dense bushes trimmed to at least one foot from the ground.
In closing, if you see evidence of citrus/roof rats, act sooner than later. Left untreated, rats can cause significant damage to your property. If you need a referral, do not hesitate to reach out.
For more information, feel free to reach out to Catherine Schaeffer at Dansco Real Estate Group at 480-650-3444 or [email protected].