Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for
Title
Woodrats
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
July 1994
Eight species of woodrats (genus
Neotoma) occur in North America. Locally known as pack rats
or trade rats, these rodents are about
the size of the common Norway rat.
They are distinguishable from Norway
rats by their hairy rather than scaly
tail, soft, fine fur, and large ears. They
usually have light-colored feet and
bellies.
The Key
Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana
smalli) was federally listed as
endangered in 1991.
Exclusion:
Woodrats can be permanently
excluded from buildings.
Cultural Methods:
Not generally useful.
Trim lower branches of citrus trees.
Repellents:
None are registered or considered
effective at this time.
Toxicants:
Anticoagulants (registered in some
states).
Zinc phosphide (registered in some
states).
Fumigants:
Not useful.
Trapping:
Rat snap trap.
Live traps.
Burrow-entrance traps.
Glue boards.
Shooting:
Limited usefulness.
Other Control Methods: Destruction of dens.
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