News Articles
Rat Activity in South Richland & Applewood Estates
Posted on Sep 23rd, 2025
Applewood Homeowners,
The HOA has received multiple reports of increased rat activity in Applewood Estates. The HOA has been following this issue for the past couple of years, where new construction has pushed rats into South Richland neighborhoods. Both Roof Rats and Norway Rats are the most common in our area, and each poses risks to homes, landscaping, and personal health. Both species carry diseases and can be destructive if not addressed quickly.
- Roof Rats are excellent climbers and often enter homes through roofs or attics. Once inside, they can chew wires, damage insulation, and create fire hazards.
- Norway Rats are larger, burrowing rodents that typically invade crawl spaces, basements, and yards, where they can damage plumbing lines, cars, and structural foundations.
How to Help Protect Your Home - Please take the following preventive steps:
- Trim back trees and bushes away from your home to prevent roof access.
- Seal crawl spaces and ground-level openings to keep Norway Rats from burrowing under your home.
- Remove outdoor food sources, including bird seed, pet food, and fallen fruit. Chicken coops are the highest attraction.
- Keep garbage containers tightly sealed and stored away from the house.
- Inspect attics, basements, and garages regularly for signs of nesting or droppings.