Rodents of any kind are detriment to your California home. They are responsible for spreading diseases by being known vectors of bacteria and diseases as well as causing costly damage to your home as they contaminate your food supply, forage for water, and cause property damage. Throughout California, Roof rats and Norway rats are the most common types of rats and we at Animal Pest Management would like to share some basic information regarding these two types of rats.
Where Do Norway Rats Burrow?
Often referred to as sewer rats, Norway rats are found around California properties burrowing and gnawing. Though they are believed to originate from Asia, their origins are unknown, but they are found around the globe. When compared to other common rat species, Norway rats have smaller eyes and shorter tails. Their fur is brown with scattered black hairs and the underside ranges from shades of gray and white. Though they can be seen during the day Norway rats are nocturnal pests. The fall is the most common time of the year when these rats infiltrate into homes and business as the food is scarce, but they will easily wonder inside if the opportunity reveals itself, to escape extreme weather, predators, or for food. Norway rats are social rodents, burrowing in close proximity to one another and once inside their destruction can go as far as gnawing through the lean and plastic pipes to reach water sources. Structures, farmlands, and fields are often where Norway rats are seen. Burrowing close to riverbanks, under garbage and wood piles as well as under slabs, Norway rats prefer the loose soil. If they come inside, they frequently seek shelter in the basements, preferably in undisturbed areas such as under piles of debris to build their nests. To get inside your abode, Norway rats only need a gap about the size of quarter to get through. Norway rats are particularly a threat once they come inside because in addition to the damage done with their gnawing habits, they introduce fleas, along with the flea-illnesses, contaminate food, and are vectors of diseases including cowpox virus, plague, jaundice, trichinosis, salmonellosis, and rat-bite fever.
Where Do Roof Rats Live?
Sometimes referenced as ship rats or black rats, Roof rats are thought to originate from Southeast Asia, particularly in the tropical regions and like Norway rats, are found all over the world. Compared to Norway rats, roof rats are smaller, measuring between 6 and 8 inches long. Because roof rats tend to be smaller, their droppings are also smaller; about 1/2 an inch long compared to Norway rats at about 3/4 of an inch long. The fur is intermixed of black in their brown coloring and their undersides can be black, gray or color variations. Roof rats also have larger eyes and ears and feature a long, thin, scaly tail. Roof rats have a tendency to traverse heights with their incredible ability to climb and frequently get into homes from access in the roof. They can be just as detrimental to your home or business as Norway rats with their gnawing habits, contamination of food, and spreading of bacteria and disease.
Rodent Inspections, Control, Trapping, Removal & More in San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside & San Diego Counties, California
No matter which of these rats you believe have infested in your California home, call Animal Pest Management for a rodent inspection and custom plan of action that includes rodent exclusion, prevention and removal.
