Norway rats, also called brown rats, are large rodents with coarse brown fur and lightly sprinkled black hairs throughout their coats. They have black eyes, small ears, and blunt noses.
Norway rats will eat almost anything but prefer grains, nuts, fruits, and meats. They’re scavengers by nature, so they’ll go after whatever food is easiest to find. Outdoors, they might feed on garbage, pet food, compost, and even animal waste. If they enter your home, they’ll raid your pantry, chew through food packaging, and even eat scraps left on dirty dishes or trash cans.
Norway rats can spread diseases in several different ways. Understanding their role in disease propagation is helpful.
It is important to note that these rats are not a known vector for rabies.
Yes. Norway rats have strong teeth that gnaw through wood, stucco, and other building materials. When they enter, their waste materials can leave stains and strong odors. They also create holes in stored furniture, storage boxes, and food packages in kitchens and pantries.
Norway rats prefer staying closer to the ground, which means they usually enter structures through low-level openings like cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors or windows, or vents. Once inside, they look for areas with little foot traffic, such as storage areas, basements, crawl spaces, or anywhere with easy access to food and water.
They typically nest in first-floor wall voids, inside cabinets, behind appliances, and inside stored furniture. Depending on your home's conditions, you may also find them near warm heating pipes.
If you’re concerned that Norway rats are infesting your home or building, look for the following signs:
Experts say that one female Norway rat can have as many as 84 pups in a year, but 40 is more likely. However, it is important to keep in mind that it takes only two to three months for a female to mature and start breeding. This means that four times a year, the population spikes as the new females start making pups of their own.
For relief from Norway rats, contact Big Time Pest Control. Our locally owned and operated pest control company offers effective pest control services for homes and businesses. We’re here to help property owners eradicate rats and other pests. Contact us today for more information!
We recommend sealing up any potential entry point to keep Norway rats out. You should also ensure vents and drains have secure covers, replace missing or worn weather strippings, keep your yard clean, store garbage in bins with secure lids, maintain a clean home, address moisture issues, and reduce clutter.
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Anderson, CA
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