Roof Rat Identification Melbourne
Identify roof rats in Melbourne — appearance, nesting habits, and control advice.
Roof Rat in Melbourne — Quick Answer
The roof rat is an agile, climbing rodent frequently found in Melbourne roof voids, trees, and upper levels of buildings. Adults are slender, measuring 16–22 cm with a tail longer than their body. They have large ears and pointed snouts. Roof rats enter homes through gaps in eaves and roofing. T47 Pest Control delivers targeted roof rat programs including trapping, baiting, and entry-point exclusion.
How to Identify Roof Rat
Size
16–22 cm body; tail longer than body
Colour
Dark brown to black upper body, lighter grey or white underside
Behaviour
Excellent climber, nests above ground, nocturnal, wary of new objects
Habitat
Roof voids, palm trees, dense ivy, pergolas, upper wall cavities
Look-Alikes & Confusion Notes
Commonly confused with Norway rats. Roof rats are slimmer with larger ears and a longer tail. The black rat is sometimes treated as the same species — both are Rattus rattus.
Risk & Urgency
High. Roof rats contaminate stored food, gnaw electrical wiring posing fire risks, and carry diseases including plague and typhus. Roof colonies grow quickly and require professional control.
Where Found in Melbourne
Roof rats are common across inner and eastern Melbourne, particularly in suburbs with mature trees, palm trees, and dense vegetation near rooflines. They also infest commercial buildings with flat roofs.
What to Do Now
Trim tree branches away from the roofline, seal gaps in eaves and fascia with metal flashing, and store food in sealed containers. Contact T47 Pest Control for professional roof void inspection and targeted control.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do roof rats get into my house?
- Roof rats climb trees, power lines, and fences to reach rooflines. They enter through gaps in eaves, damaged tiles, unscreened vents, and where pipes penetrate walls. Any gap larger than 15 mm is a potential entry point.
- What sounds do roof rats make?
- You may hear scratching, scurrying, or gnawing noises in the roof void at night. Thumping sounds when rats jump between surfaces are also common.