Norway rats are found throughout America, including our great State of California. These disease ridden and destructive rodents are believed to have originated from Asia and first came to America aboard ships in the late 1700’s. Norway rats are a larger rat species that can cause damage to your home and commercial property in addition to transmitting dangerous bacteria and diseases. They often gather in large groups and can be difficult to control. Animal Pest Management Services, Inc will share more about Norway rats including how to identify, prevent and control them.
Norway Rat VS Roof Rat
Norway rats have a stockier build and are larger in size than roof rats. In fact, Norway rats can reach up to 9 inches long! The tail of the Norway rat is hairless and thicker, and is about the same length as their body. The fur of the Norway rat is smooth. It is mostly brown in color with black hair scattered throughout its fur with a white under belly. Another identifying feature is that Norway rats have small eyes and ears, and have a blunt muzzle compared to roof rats and other rat species.
Norway Rat Behavior & Burrows
Norway rats typically only come out at night which makes them nocturnal in nature. However, some sightings of Norway rats can occur during the day. Norway rats become most aggressive in invading human residences during the fall and winter seasons. As food becomes harder to find, the more desperate rats and mice will be in invading homes and commercial buildings by force. If given the space, Norway rats will live in fields and burrow into the ground. However in urban environments they will typically live in human structures and other nearby areas such as dumpsters, woodpiles and under concrete slabs.
Norway Rat Infestation Damage & Disease
When Norway rats invade homes or other human structures they can become quickly destructive. They will begin gnawing on water and sewer pipes, electrical wiring and through the walls in your home. Along with contaminating food and leaving behind their urine and feces, which can contain harmful diseases and pathogens, Norway rats can become a serious problem when they invade your home. Some of the diseases Norway rats may transmit to humans are leptospirosis, murine typhus, rat bite fever, salmonellosis (food poisoning), and trichinosis.
Norway Rat Prevention
Some of the popular ways for a home or business owner to prevent Norway rats from invasion is to remove the preferred habitats of these rodents. Eliminating shelter will help deter Norway rats from coming too close to human dwellings. This means removing piles of wood, including wood stacks away from buildings, along with any other debris that can provide them shelter. Follow this with removing any and all possible food and water resources. This could include repairing leaky plumbing and even withholding pet food and water dishes from outside whenever possible. Other possible food sources can be garbage cans. Make sure garbage cans and dumpsters are kept sealed. Another popular method for prevention is to seal up holes and gaps or other possible entrances for rats to use to climb into your home such as attic vents, dry vents and even chimneys are areas where rats can climb into your home. Seal these areas with wire fencing or mesh wiring to provide the needed air flow, but won’t let rats or other pests inside your home or business.
Rodent Inspections, Control, Removal, Exclusion & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
For proper control you will want a quality pest control service to help you. Pest control professionals will be able to determine which places are best suited for the various traps and baits to capture or kill rats. There are many methods to controlling rats and exterminating a current rat population. However you will need the aid of a professional pest control company. If you have a Norway rat or any other rodent or pest problem, contact Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. We can eliminate your current pest infestations and help prevent future pest invasions. Contact us today.
