Besides near housing, where is the roof rat also a pest?

The roof rat is known to be a significant pest in a variety of environments, and one of those is in citrus trees. These rats are skilled climbers and are attracted to fruiting trees, making citrus fruits a prime target for their feeding activities. They tend to consume mature fruits and also damage the trees by feeding on the bark and leaves. This not only reduces the yield of citrus crops but can also lead to more serious health issues for the trees themselves.

In contrast, while roof rats may occasionally be found in proximity to feed lots or coconut trees, their primary associations tend to center around urban areas and fruit trees, particularly when it comes to agricultural impacts. Therefore, recognizing the presence of roof rats in citrus fruits highlights the relevance of integrated pest management strategies that address these types of pest occurrences within agricultural settings.