A roof rat plotting his trip to Memphis, Tenn. Photo credit: Photo copyrighted by photographer177 / www.fotosearch.com
In autumn many outdoor pests scurry inside when their food sources in the wild begin to dry up. The roof rat (aka black rat or ship rat) is a perfect example. They typically gain access to homes and other structures via holes around venting and where cables enter buildings, as well as through box vents on roofs. This often leads to the roof rat typically being an attic dweller. Despite the Halloween trappings of the season, it’s likely this is also the time of year homeowners should be relieved to learn that the eerie bumps in the night they’re hearing in the attic ARE actually ghosts. In other words, in some ways autumn is roof-rat season, so it’s appropriate that Terminix would release their compiled list of cities with the most reported roof rat infestations.
According to Terminix, their list was created by compiling inbound lead data from the more than 300 Terminix branches across the country. The rankings represent metropolitan statistical areas with the highest volume of leads from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2016. Without further ado, the list:
#1 Memphis, Tenn.
#2 Gilbert, Ariz.
#3 Pleasanton, Calif.
#4 Scottsdale, Ariz.
#5 Tempe, Ariz.
#6 Sacramento, Calif.
#7 Salinas, Calif.
#8 San Bernardino, Calif.
#9 San Antonio, Texas
#10 Plano, Texas
If you make your living in one of the above markets, you might want to consider checking to be sure you’re stocked up on all the tools and supplies in your roof-rat-fighting arsenal.
Leave A Comment