The fruit rat, also known as the black rat, is known for its propensity for fruit. Fruit rats will dwell in arboreal settings, on rooftops or in attics. These rats prefer higher areas to build their nests, and are excellent climbers.
Fruit rats are very agile and can travel along branches and wires to get to food sources. They are also known as ship rats. These rodents were renowned for their ability to climb rigging on sailing ships as sailors travelled from Europe to other areas around the globe, taking the rats with them. This allowed fruit rats to spread across the world.
Fruit rats are nocturnal omnivores, feeding on grains, seeds and meat. However, they prefer fruit and can be found in orchards, where they can devastate crops. Fruit rats will contaminate and damage areas where they feed and can be very destructive to homes and agricultural areas.
Signs of fruit rat infestations in orchards include quarter-sized holes dug into ripe fruit, with the entire contents hollowed out. They will eat apples, pears, citrus and blueberries. Fruit rats can go unnoticed in orchards until the fruit begins to ripen, and the rats emerge to feed on the bounty.
Prevention of fruit rats can be difficult, but there are a number of methods to help keep populations down. Protecting orchards can be done with traps and baits. Since fruit rats are nocturnal, traps should be set at dusk to avoid catching other animals or birds.
Natural predators can also help with fruit rat control. Snakes and birds of prey, including owls and hawks, can significantly contribute to keeping fruit rat populations down. To help encourage these predators, keep outdoor pets away from the orchard, and trim trees to keep hunting areas open for birds.