“Yep, it’s roof rats all right…” Not what you want to hear after an attic inspection.

Are roof rats really a thing? Sure, they eat the fruit in my backyard, but what about my HVAC system? Based on the evidence this photo provides, roof rats also find PVC pipe irresistible! The owner of this system was wondering why she had water leaking from her ceiling, and the gnawed markings were a dead giveaway.

According to the City of Surprise, “Roof Rats travel from trees to roofs or from accesses near overhead utility lines, which they use to travel from area to area. In buildings, they are most often found in enclosed or elevated spaces in attics, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets. They have been found in swimming pools, laundry rooms, attics, garages and patios, as well as on power lines.”

Pebble Creek AC & Heating helped this homeowner by replacing the piping and recommending a call to her pest control.

For further reading on this delightful creature, the City of Surprise has an entire page devoted to this resilient species of rat.