Pack Rat (Woodrat) Control in Albuquerque
Pack rats, or woodrats, are native rats, and they're the reason many Albuquerque homeowners call us in the first place. They look softer than a city rat: big eyes, big ears, a white belly and feet, and a furry tail. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension describes their nests as piles of sticks, cactus and debris, often at the base of a shrub or in the middle of a prickly pear.
The City of Albuquerque lists pack rats among the rodents involved in plague around here, along with rock squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks and mice. That's a good reason to have a pro handle a nest near the house.
Signs of a pack rat
The nest is the giveaway. It's a heap of sticks, cholla joints, juniper bits and whatever else they could carry. Woodrats also collect odd objects, and Extension notes they're known for carrying off shiny things like coins and jewelry, which is how they got the name.
- A pile of sticks and cactus under a deck, shed or juniper
- Chewed wiring under the hood of a car that sits a lot
- Nest debris in the garage, crawl space or attic
- Small objects missing from the porch or the workbench
Where they nest around Albuquerque
Yards with native plantings and open ground nearby: the foothills, the West Side near the escarpment, Rio Rancho and the East Mountains. Extension also lists attics, garages, under houses and the engine compartments of cars that don't get driven much. Our vehicles and garages page covers the car side.
Removing the rats and the nest
Extension says exclusion and barriers are the most effective way to deal with woodrats getting into buildings. The usual sequence is trapping, then sealing, then clearing out the nest. Nest material can carry hantavirus, so it should be soaked with disinfectant before anyone disturbs it. Don't pull a nest apart with your bare hands, and don't flip it with a shovel.
Clearing brush and rock piles near the house and keeping firewood off the ground cuts down on new nests. The pack rat nest guide has more.
Questions
Can I live-trap a pack rat and let it go somewhere else?
Extension advises against relocating them, since moved animals often die from exposure, predators or competition. Ask the provider about the options.
Are pack rats the same as roof rats?
No. Pack rats are native woodrats with furry tails. Roof rats and Norway rats are the non-native rats with bare, scaly tails, and they're far less common here. See rat control.