1.   For example, scientists have found that some populations of roof rats living in Israel have recently learned to extract seeds from pine cones by deftly opening them.

2.   In a repeat of last spring, roof rats have besieged homes in Brentwood and Sylmar this season.

3.   Keeping homes sealed up and yards devoid of food and potential burrows can ward off infestation of house mice, roof rats and sewer rats.

4.   Left unchecked, roof rats can develop rat communities with officious homeowners associations.