HAWX / PEST LIBRARY / RODENTS
HAWX / PEST LIBRARY / RODENTS
What Is A Pack Rat Or Wood Rat?
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OVERVIEW
Introduction To Pack Rats
Rats of all breeds can be found seeking the warmth, shelter, and readily available food of a human home. We'll help you learn about the particular habits of pack rats, also known as wood rats, in order to recognize their signs and know when to call in rat removal specialists.
IDENTIFICATION
What Do Pack Rats Look Like? How Are They Different From Other Rats?
Like many rats, pack rats are soft and furry, and usually brownish-gray with a lighter, whitish belly. Found throughout most of the United States, they're about the same size as Norway rats, clocking in at 11–18 inches long, including the tail. But, they have some distinguishing features, such as their big, dark eyes and large ears, along with their unique tails, which are slightly furry compared to the hairless tails of Norway rats and Roof rats. They're larger than mice.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
Pack Rats = Wood Rats = Trade Rats
Pack rats also go by the names of wood rats or trade rats. They're called trade rats thanks to their habit for hoarding and what's called "trading up." For instance, if they are heading back to their nest with an acorn to add to the pile, they are easily distracted by some new, shiny thing. Dropping the acorn, they carry off the new treasure. They love collecting and stashing shiny or interesting objects in their nests. If you see a nest full of unique objects and shiny accoutrements, it's probably a pack rat's home (which is where we get the nickname for anyone who hoards things).
Why are they called Packrats?
They're called packrats for their habit of building tightly packed, layered nests. They collect and pack in bits of material to construct their nests. Pack rat middens can look like a pile of sticks, but in fact are intricately packed structures. A bit like beaver lodges, their middens have rooms where winter food supplies are stored, as well as general living quarters and multiple escape routes. And as we said, they are often decorated with bright and shiny things. Pack rat middens may be inhabited by a string of pack rat families.
And no, they have no real correlation to the "Rat Pack," that famous group of singers in the '50s and '60s: Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.
Seeing Pack Rats?
Tired of your pack rat problem? Call Hawx Pest Control at (855) 739-0061 now and schedule an inspection of your commercial or residential property. Find your local Hawx Pest Control today!
Call Hawx Today: (855) 739-0061BEHAVIORS
What Are Packrat / Wood Rat Behaviors?
As we just mentioned, pack rats are great nest builders. Their nests are called middens, and they usually construct them using plant material such as twigs, sticks, and other available debris. But they are particularly fond of shiny and unusual items (at least for a rat's taste), such as coins, bottle caps, jewelry, or other debris, and they incorporate these found objects into their nests. You may notice their middens packed into rock crevices, woodpiles, attics, or walls.
Pack rats are mostly nocturnal animals, building their middens at night. According to some, they can be a little vocal and boisterous in the process. When it comes to diet, they are herbivores that consume a wide range of foods, including green plants, seeds, nuts, fruits, fungi, and sometimes even other animal matter. They cache food for leaner seasons — you might notice this food stashing if you find one of their middens around your home.
HARMFUL
Are Packrats Harmful To Humans?
They can and do easily become a nuisance when they decide to enter and inhabit human spaces like attics or car engines. Their quirky hoarding habit can create messy nests that attract insects and make sanitation issues worse. On top of that, they're destructive chewers, known for gnawing on wires, insulation, and wood, which can lead to costly repairs or even fire hazards. And in the process, they can create noisy havoc in the process.
Like other wild rodents, they can carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, and their droppings or nesting materials can spread diseases like hantavirus, plague, and leptospirosis. It's important to eliminate them from your home if you think you have a pack rat packed inside your house somewhere.
How To Get Rid Of Wood Rats/Packrats On Your Property
If you suspect you have a rat in your home, a professional pest control company like Hawx has the expertise to handle a rodent problem. Calling in a professional is always the safest bet. As with most rats, getting rid of pack rats typically requires a mix of trapping, sanitation, and prevention. Hawx can step in to identify the rodents, confirm they're pack rats, and design a treatment plan just for you.
To prevent pack rats and other rodents, step one is to make your home less attractive to them. Keep all food, including pet food, in sealed containers, and stay on top of cleaning crumbs, spills, and garbage. Clear out cluttered areas where rodents like to nest. Keep doors and windows closed or with screens. Seal cracks, holes, and gaps with durable materials such as caulk or copper mesh so they can't sneak inside. Outside, mow regularly, trim back overgrown plants, and remove woodpiles or other debris that can double as hiding spots.
Pack rats stand out for their quirky hoarding habits, nighttime activity, solitary nature, and impressive nest-building skills — including long-lasting middens packed with both food and odds & ends. Their ability to store resources and create durable shelters makes them fascinating — and sometimes frustrating — residents. Call Hawx right away if you suspect you have pack rats in your home.
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