Roof rats were first found in East Phoenix's Arcadia District in 2002. They are not native to Arizona; the rats are believed to have been transported to Maricopa County from one of our neighboring coastal states. In 2004, roof rats were found in cities and towns all over the Valley. This confirmed to the County that the rats were being transported some how either through residents moving from one home to another or perhaps from residents moving into the Valley from our neighboring coastal states. Although roof rats have not been found to have disease, they are known to be very destructive, gnawing through wiring and destroying citrus. They cost home owners thousands of dollars in damage every year. This experience has allowed the County to have a deeper understanding of what it takes to eradicate rats on a residential property. Eradication of roof rats in any neighbor hood is a team effort and requires the relentless effort of the whole neighborhood. This website is a primer to educate residents about just what it takes to keep roof rats out of your neighborhood. We do take care of these roof rats and it does not take too many treatments to irradiate the problem all it takes is time and experience two things that A-1 Pest Control is best at.