What to do when you suspect roof rats in your home
Roof Rats in Phoenix
Roof rats are not native to Arizona and were first discovered in the Arcadia area in 2002. They have been on the move since then and now show up all over the Valley on roofs and in homes for food and shelter. When citrus is ripe, you’re more likely to see them come out for a bite to eat, yet they are still present year-round. Here’s how to identify and get rid of a roof rat:
What is a Roof Rat?
Sometimes referred to as black rats, fruit rats, or house rats, roof rats are long and thin rodents with large eyes and ears and are typically brown with black spots. They usually measure around 40 cm long and can weigh up to 12 ounces. These rodents travel from trees to your roof, and can end up in enclosed spaces like an attic or inside of a wall.
Signs of Roof Rats
Common signs of roof rats can include:
Noises in an attic or wall
Gnawing sounds or marks around roof eaves
Damage to plastic covering on electrical wires
Presence of roof rat droppings
House pets acting strange
Hollowed out fruit on surrounding trees
Eliminate food sources for roof rats by keeping garbage and food in tight, covered containers. Their food source consists of mostly citrus fruit, stored grains or dog and cat food left out. It’s important to pick ripe fruit off of your trees and harvest your gardens as soon as possible. Limiting the use of bird feeders can help to eliminate another food source. Be sure to sweep up any spilled food and store the extra in a sealed container.
Keep landscape trimmed to prevent pests from making themselves at home. A clean yard is a deterrent. Be sure to rake under your trees and shrubbery and remove any woodpiles from the clean-up process. Trees should be trimmed and bushes thinned so you can see daylight through them. Oleanders are prone to harboring roof rats in Arizona, as well as palm trees, so having regular maintenance on these is important.
Roof Rat Repair
Roof repair is necessary for avoiding an infestation of roof rats. They can enter through openings as small as a coin and go from your roof, to your attic and into your walls. You want to make sure your structure is sealed and that there is no damage that goes unnoticed, making for an easy entrance.
You want to contact a professional exterminator when you suspect roof rats invading your structure. By getting a regular roof inspection from us here at American Roofing & Waterproofing, we can help to ensure they stay out of your roof and your home by spotting any maintenance that needs to be done on your roof.
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"Cameron has been very quick to come to the property when we have asked for a proposal for repairs. It's nice to not have to wait for days for someone to come out to give a proposal."
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Rhonda D
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"Jose and his team did an amazing job!!
His Customer service is excellent. Set expectations from the start, than exceeded them. Answers call quickly. Integrity in meeting both his quoted price and standards."
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Charles S.
Google Review • Sep 2026
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"Cameron was absolutely amazing! From start to finish, the customer service was exceptional. He was professional, friendly, attentive, and always responded quickly whenever I had a question or needed assistance…"
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Gizelle L
Google Review • Sep 2026
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"I'd like to thank Jose for his prompt action during this crazy monsoon season. Cleaned up my carports and put my residents minds at ease seeing the professional team inspecting our roofs!"
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Brandon V.
Google Review • Sep 2026
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"A huge shout out to Jose Alvarez, he is hardworking and very well at communicating on our project."
M
Mckenna A
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"We have been using Cameron from American Roofing and waterproofing has been great at our property would highly recommend"
T
Troy D.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"I can't say enough great things about Jose! He was incredibly professional, thorough, and attentive throughout the entire process. He made sure everything was inspected carefully, explained their findings in a…"
H
Heather G.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"Cameron was fantastic to work with! I spoke with him about getting a roof inspection done, and from the start, he was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly easy to work with. His customer service is top-n…"
"Spoke to Cameron about getting some work done on my roof he was very knowledgeable, had great customer service, and goes above and beyond for his customers. Would definitely recommend working with Cameron he is…"
"Called this company for a roof inspection they sent Cameron out in a very timely matter he had great customer service was able to answer any questions I had and gave me a fair quote!!"
"I have to say, American Roofing has an incredible team of people working for them. Having a dedicated representative like Cameron looking after me has been a true pleasure. While the entire team is outstanding…"
"Working with Jose has been awesome quick response and quality work! Highly recommend American Roofing all day!"
A
Art C.
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"Cameron has been very quick to come to the property when we have asked for a proposal for repairs. It's nice to not have to wait for days for someone to come out to give a proposal."
R
Rhonda D
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"Jose and his team did an amazing job!!
His Customer service is excellent. Set expectations from the start, than exceeded them. Answers call quickly. Integrity in meeting both his quoted price and standards."
C
Charles S.
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"Cameron was absolutely amazing! From start to finish, the customer service was exceptional. He was professional, friendly, attentive, and always responded quickly whenever I had a question or needed assistance…"
G
Gizelle L
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"I'd like to thank Jose for his prompt action during this crazy monsoon season. Cleaned up my carports and put my residents minds at ease seeing the professional team inspecting our roofs!"
B
Brandon V.
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"A huge shout out to Jose Alvarez, he is hardworking and very well at communicating on our project."
M
Mckenna A
Google Review • Sep 2026
Verified
"We have been using Cameron from American Roofing and waterproofing has been great at our property would highly recommend"
T
Troy D.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"I can't say enough great things about Jose! He was incredibly professional, thorough, and attentive throughout the entire process. He made sure everything was inspected carefully, explained their findings in a…"
H
Heather G.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"Cameron was fantastic to work with! I spoke with him about getting a roof inspection done, and from the start, he was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly easy to work with. His customer service is top-n…"
K
Kira W.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"Spoke to Cameron about getting some work done on my roof he was very knowledgeable, had great customer service, and goes above and beyond for his customers. Would definitely recommend working with Cameron he is…"
P
Paige L.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"Called this company for a roof inspection they sent Cameron out in a very timely matter he had great customer service was able to answer any questions I had and gave me a fair quote!!"
T
Tylor S.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Verified
"I have to say, American Roofing has an incredible team of people working for them. Having a dedicated representative like Cameron looking after me has been a true pleasure. While the entire team is outstanding…"
J
J.P.
Google Review • Aug 2026
Common Questions
Everything You Need to Know
Expert answers to your biggest roofing questions.
Absolutely. We are insurance claim specialists. We work directly with your insurance adjuster to ensure all damage is documented and covered. From the initial inspection to the final payout, we handle the paperwork so you don't have to.
We provide full roofing services across the entire Phoenix metro area, greater state of Arizona, California, Colorado and Texas. Not sure if we service your location call us at (602) 314-4650.
Yes. We back our work with industry-leading warranties on both materials and workmanship. Coverage varies by roof system and project type, so we'll walk you through exactly what your roof qualifies for — in writing — before any work begins.
We specialize in all major commercial systems, including TPO, PVC, EPDM, Built-Up (BUR), Modified Bitumen, and Metal Roofing. We also offer roof coating systems that can extend the life of your existing roof at a fraction of the replacement cost.
For emergency repairs, we offer 24/7 response. For roof replacements, our timeline depends on material availability and current schedule, but we typically can schedule inspections within 24-48 hours and begin work shortly after permit approval.
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