Pack Rats Have Spring Fever.

This year we had the fourth warmest January on record.  Most days have been in the low seventies and the nights are mild.  It feels like spring and the pack rats seem to have spring fever.

Pack rats reproduce year-round, but breeding always increases when environmental conditions are favorable and more young can survive.  Freezing temperatures - fewer rats.  Extreme drought - fewer rats.  Nice mild weather with lots of vegetation from late fall rains - conditions perfect - lots of baby rats!

We are finding far more young rats in nests than typical for this time of year.   These rats are still too young to be much of a nuisance, but soon they will be adults and breeding on their own.   If conditions remain favorable 2012 could be a boom years for pack rats.