Pack Rats in Phoenix, AZ
Neotoma albigula
Pack rats build nests that damage vehicles and landscaping across the West Valley. See how to identify them and get rid of them fast.
Notes: From a Phoenix, AZ Exterminator
Appearance
Also called woodrats, pack rats have soft gray-to-brown fur, large ears, big dark eyes, and a notably hairy tail (unlike the scaly tails of roof and Norway rats) — typically 12–15 inches nose to tail.
Harborage
Pack rats are famous for building large, messy "stick nests" (middens) out of cactus spines, twigs, and — very often — shiny, chewed-up items scavenged from cars, garages, and sheds. Engine compartments, wood piles, and desert landscaping in Buckeye and Goodyear are prime real estate.
Are They Dangerous?
Beyond disease concerns similar to other rodents, pack rats are notorious for chewing through vehicle wiring, hoses, and insulation — a single nest under a hood can mean thousands in repair costs. They also attract kissing bugs, a pest of medical concern, into their nests.
Treatment
Removing an active midden without the right approach just relocates the problem. Antidote Pest Solutions locates and removes nests, traps resident rats, and helps rodent-proof vehicles, sheds, and structures. Talk to one of Antidote Pest's Service Pro's before they cause costly damage.
Prevention Tips
Trim cactus, cholla, and dense shrubs away from the home's exterior
Seal gaps around the foundation, vents, and utility penetrations
Remove wood piles, junk piles, and debris from the yard
Check vehicle engine compartments regularly if parked outside for extended periods
Store firewood off the ground and away from structures
Inspect sheds, garages, and under decks for nest-building material
Behavioral Notes
Pack rats are famous for the 'trade' behavior that gives them their name — they'll drop whatever they're carrying to pick up a shinier or more interesting object, sometimes leaving behind coins, jewelry, or small tools.
Their large stick-and-debris nests, called middens, can be reused and built upon for generations, with some desert middens found by researchers dating back thousands of years due to natural preservation.
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