Norway Rats: Facts, Identification And Control
Norway Rats: Facts, Identification & Control
Latin Name
Rattus norvegicus
Appearance
Norway rats are large rodents that may weigh in excess of 500 grams. They can reach lengths of 40 cm,and their tails alone may measure 21 cm. The body of the Norway rat is covered in shaggy fur that is brown or gray in color. The ears and tail are covered in scales, and the tail is shorter than the head and body. Droppings are capsule-shaped.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Norway rats typically nest in underground burrows from which they enter buildings in search of food. They tend to remain in hiding during the day.
Norway rats are omnivorous and feed on a variety of food sources. If given the choice, they will consume meats, fruits, grains and nuts. Dead animals …show more content…
also serve as a food source for these rats, and they are capable of catching small fish and rodents. They require water to drink, and they make their colony as close to a water source as possible. Norway rats live in communities with dominant and subordinate members, though they are not truly social like ants.
Reproduction
The Norway rat reaches sexual maturity in two to five months and can breed any month of the year. Litters may number from four to 22. Females can have three to 12 litters per year. Adults generally live up to one year in the wild.
Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation
Norway rats are not usually seen exposed unless driven out of their hiding spaces because of limited space or disturbances.
Sightings during the day often indicate a potentially large infestations. Outdoor burrows surrounding the building may be an indication of Norway rat nesting. Other signs of Norway rats are their gnaw marks on food and objects such as utility lines. Rub marks or grease stains caused by rats running along an edge also can indicate activity. In general, the darker the stain, the greater the activity. Perhaps one of the most well-known signs is their droppings. Norway rat droppings are blunt and 18 to20 cm long. They can be scattered along frequently traveled rodent …show more content…
pathways.
More Information
Sometimes called “Norway wood rats” or “Norwegian water rats,” Norway rats are prevalent throughout North America. Arriving on ships from Great Britain circa 1775, these rodents quickly spread throughout the American Midwest. By the 1800s, they were present as far as Ontario, Canada.
Today, Norway rats thrive in a variety of human habitats. While it is believed that Norway rats originally lived only within temperate forest regions, they are extremely adaptive and now thrive comfortably in densely populated cities. Outside, they can be found burrowing in the soil beneath buildings, in embankments and near tree roots. Inside, they live in basements, crawlspaces, attics and sewers. They can be carriers of various diseases.
Norway Rat
Physical Characteristics
The adult Norway rat is about 7"- 9 1/2" with a tail length of 6"-18" long. Fur is coarse, shaggy and color is usually brown with scattered black hairs with underside gray to yellowish white. The Norway rat has a blunt muzzle, small ears and eyes.
Behavior
Norway rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases
The Norway rat is nocturnal and unlike mice they shy away from new objects introduced into their territory. The Norway rats nesting preference is the lower parts of structures such as basements in piles of debris and or merchandise but has also been found outdoors on or around riverbanks, railroad embankments, piles of rubbish and under concrete slabs.
The Norway rat is an opportunistic feeder and although they will feed on anything they do prefer meat, fish and cereal.
Disease Carriers
Norway Rats may carry or contribute to the following:
• Salmonella
• Cowpox Virus
• Jaundice/leptospirosis/Weils disease
• Trichinosis
• Plague
Treatment
The control of rodents can be widely varied, depending on the individual situation. Covering holes, filling cracks, baiting or trapping may be necessary. Our trained technicians will determine the best means of control for each client.
Roof Rat: Facts, Identification & Control
Latin Name
Rattus rattus
Appearance
Black or brown, can be over 40 cm long, with a long tail, large ears and eyes, and a pointed nose. Body is smaller and sleeker than the Norway rat’s. Fur is smooth.
Physical Characteristics
The adult Roof rat is about 6"-8" with a tail length of 7"-10" long. Fur is soft and color is usually brown with black intermixed, to gray to black above with underside white, gray or black. The roof rat has a pointed muzzle, large ears and eyes.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Nests inside and under buildings, or in piles of rubbish or wood. Excellent climber that can often be found in the upper parts of structures. Roof rats are highly adaptable. They prefer to live in high places, but may live in a variety of environments. They are nocturnal by nature and are accomplished climbers. As their name suggests, roof rats may be found in elevated areas such as trees, rafters, attics and roofs. Roof rats can also nest on the ground if necessary.
In dense populations, roof rats will establish a social hierarchy, wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males.
They prefer to consume fruits (sometimes referred to as the “fruit rat” or “citrus rat”) and nuts, although roof rats are omnivorous and will feed on almost anything available to them. These rodents have been known to consume tree bark, meat and grain. Roof rats are also food hoarders, stashing supplies of food such as seeds and nuts.
Reproduction
Becomes sexually mature between two and five months, producing four to six litters per year that consist of six to eight young each. Lives up to one year.
Roof rats are prodigious breeders. Females can breed year-round. Within a year, one female may be responsible for up to 40 new rodents.
Signs of Roof Rat Infestation
Visual sightings of live or dead rodents indicate rodent activity.
If roof rats are seen exposed, it often indicates their hiding spaces are all filled by other rats or that they have been disturbed, such as by construction. Droppings are another good indicator of roof rat activity. Roof rat droppings are 12 to 13 mm with pointed ends, whereas Norway rat droppings are 18 to 20 mm and capsule shaped. Other indicators can include grease marks along surfaces as well as nests. Grease marks are produced as the rodent travels along an edge, and the oils in their fur are deposited. Indoor nests usually are constructed in insulation such as in
attics.
More Information
Diseases
Roof rats can be carriers of diseases. They can transmit these diseases through physical contact, bites, by contamination or by fleas that are feeding on the rodent.
Historically, infected fleas have transmitted serious plagues from rats to humans. Bubonic plague was a scourge in Europe several times throughout history. There are still outbreaks of plague in the United States and around the world today. Trichinosis may be contracted through eating undercooked meat of animals that have fed on rats. Rats contaminating food or food preparation surfaces can transmit food poisoning. Rats can also transmit rat bite fever through bacteria in their mouth.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is transferred via inhalation of rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Although roof rats have not yet been connected to HPS, everyone is advised to use caution when dealing with an infestation. It is best to contact pest management professionals for an inspection and evaluation.
Infestations
The first step in controlling a roof rat infestation is to properly identify the rodents. Roof rats have hairless, scaly tails that are longer than their heads and bodies. These rats are nocturnal and are excellent climbers.
To prevent a colony from nesting in your home, make sure that all the windows and vents are screened. Roof rats can also enter openings in walls, eaves and roof from the branches of trees. Trim all tree branches to further prevent entry.
Roof Rat
Behavior
Roof rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases.
The Roof rat is nocturnal and unlike mice they shy away from new objects introduced into their territory. The Roof rats nesting preference is the upper parts of structures but has also been found in basements as well as outdoors in trees. Once the Roof rat has established a harborage, they tend to follow the same route to their food and or water source keeping their paths clear of debris.
Roof rats will feed on practically anything, but prefer seeds, nuts, fruits and berries when in season. Roof rats, if available, will feed on snails, slugs, and the American brown and Smokey brown cockroach. Near waterways the Roof rat feeds on fish, shell fish and other aquatics.
Disease Carriers
Norway Rats may carry or contribute to the following:
• Salmonella
• Plague
• Jaundice/leptospirosis/Weils disease
• Trichinosis
Treatment
The control of rodents can be widely varied, depending on the individual situation. Covering holes, filling cracks, baiting or trapping may be necessary. Our trained technicians will determine the best means of control for each client.
Latin Name
Rattus norvegicus
Appearance
Norway rats are large rodents that may weigh in excess of 500 grams. They can reach lengths of 40 cm,and their tails alone may measure 21 cm. The body of the Norway rat is covered in shaggy fur that is brown or gray in color. The ears and tail are covered in scales, and the tail is shorter than the head and body. Droppings are capsule-shaped.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Norway rats typically nest in underground burrows from which they enter buildings in search of food. They tend to remain in hiding during the day.
Norway rats are omnivorous and feed on a variety of food sources. If given the choice, they will consume meats, fruits, grains and nuts. Dead animals …show more content…
also serve as a food source for these rats, and they are capable of catching small fish and rodents. They require water to drink, and they make their colony as close to a water source as possible. Norway rats live in communities with dominant and subordinate members, though they are not truly social like ants.
Reproduction
The Norway rat reaches sexual maturity in two to five months and can breed any month of the year. Litters may number from four to 22. Females can have three to 12 litters per year. Adults generally live up to one year in the wild.
Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation
Norway rats are not usually seen exposed unless driven out of their hiding spaces because of limited space or disturbances.
Sightings during the day often indicate a potentially large infestations. Outdoor burrows surrounding the building may be an indication of Norway rat nesting. Other signs of Norway rats are their gnaw marks on food and objects such as utility lines. Rub marks or grease stains caused by rats running along an edge also can indicate activity. In general, the darker the stain, the greater the activity. Perhaps one of the most well-known signs is their droppings. Norway rat droppings are blunt and 18 to20 cm long. They can be scattered along frequently traveled rodent …show more content…
pathways.
More Information
Sometimes called “Norway wood rats” or “Norwegian water rats,” Norway rats are prevalent throughout North America. Arriving on ships from Great Britain circa 1775, these rodents quickly spread throughout the American Midwest. By the 1800s, they were present as far as Ontario, Canada.
Today, Norway rats thrive in a variety of human habitats. While it is believed that Norway rats originally lived only within temperate forest regions, they are extremely adaptive and now thrive comfortably in densely populated cities. Outside, they can be found burrowing in the soil beneath buildings, in embankments and near tree roots. Inside, they live in basements, crawlspaces, attics and sewers. They can be carriers of various diseases.
Norway Rat
Physical Characteristics
The adult Norway rat is about 7"- 9 1/2" with a tail length of 6"-18" long. Fur is coarse, shaggy and color is usually brown with scattered black hairs with underside gray to yellowish white. The Norway rat has a blunt muzzle, small ears and eyes.
Behavior
Norway rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases
The Norway rat is nocturnal and unlike mice they shy away from new objects introduced into their territory. The Norway rats nesting preference is the lower parts of structures such as basements in piles of debris and or merchandise but has also been found outdoors on or around riverbanks, railroad embankments, piles of rubbish and under concrete slabs.
The Norway rat is an opportunistic feeder and although they will feed on anything they do prefer meat, fish and cereal.
Disease Carriers
Norway Rats may carry or contribute to the following:
• Salmonella
• Cowpox Virus
• Jaundice/leptospirosis/Weils disease
• Trichinosis
• Plague
Treatment
The control of rodents can be widely varied, depending on the individual situation. Covering holes, filling cracks, baiting or trapping may be necessary. Our trained technicians will determine the best means of control for each client.
Roof Rat: Facts, Identification & Control
Latin Name
Rattus rattus
Appearance
Black or brown, can be over 40 cm long, with a long tail, large ears and eyes, and a pointed nose. Body is smaller and sleeker than the Norway rat’s. Fur is smooth.
Physical Characteristics
The adult Roof rat is about 6"-8" with a tail length of 7"-10" long. Fur is soft and color is usually brown with black intermixed, to gray to black above with underside white, gray or black. The roof rat has a pointed muzzle, large ears and eyes.
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Nests inside and under buildings, or in piles of rubbish or wood. Excellent climber that can often be found in the upper parts of structures. Roof rats are highly adaptable. They prefer to live in high places, but may live in a variety of environments. They are nocturnal by nature and are accomplished climbers. As their name suggests, roof rats may be found in elevated areas such as trees, rafters, attics and roofs. Roof rats can also nest on the ground if necessary.
In dense populations, roof rats will establish a social hierarchy, wherein dominant males mate more than subordinate males.
They prefer to consume fruits (sometimes referred to as the “fruit rat” or “citrus rat”) and nuts, although roof rats are omnivorous and will feed on almost anything available to them. These rodents have been known to consume tree bark, meat and grain. Roof rats are also food hoarders, stashing supplies of food such as seeds and nuts.
Reproduction
Becomes sexually mature between two and five months, producing four to six litters per year that consist of six to eight young each. Lives up to one year.
Roof rats are prodigious breeders. Females can breed year-round. Within a year, one female may be responsible for up to 40 new rodents.
Signs of Roof Rat Infestation
Visual sightings of live or dead rodents indicate rodent activity.
If roof rats are seen exposed, it often indicates their hiding spaces are all filled by other rats or that they have been disturbed, such as by construction. Droppings are another good indicator of roof rat activity. Roof rat droppings are 12 to 13 mm with pointed ends, whereas Norway rat droppings are 18 to 20 mm and capsule shaped. Other indicators can include grease marks along surfaces as well as nests. Grease marks are produced as the rodent travels along an edge, and the oils in their fur are deposited. Indoor nests usually are constructed in insulation such as in
attics.
More Information
Diseases
Roof rats can be carriers of diseases. They can transmit these diseases through physical contact, bites, by contamination or by fleas that are feeding on the rodent.
Historically, infected fleas have transmitted serious plagues from rats to humans. Bubonic plague was a scourge in Europe several times throughout history. There are still outbreaks of plague in the United States and around the world today. Trichinosis may be contracted through eating undercooked meat of animals that have fed on rats. Rats contaminating food or food preparation surfaces can transmit food poisoning. Rats can also transmit rat bite fever through bacteria in their mouth.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is transferred via inhalation of rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Although roof rats have not yet been connected to HPS, everyone is advised to use caution when dealing with an infestation. It is best to contact pest management professionals for an inspection and evaluation.
Infestations
The first step in controlling a roof rat infestation is to properly identify the rodents. Roof rats have hairless, scaly tails that are longer than their heads and bodies. These rats are nocturnal and are excellent climbers.
To prevent a colony from nesting in your home, make sure that all the windows and vents are screened. Roof rats can also enter openings in walls, eaves and roof from the branches of trees. Trim all tree branches to further prevent entry.
Roof Rat
Behavior
Roof rats are well known for damaging and destroying material by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, its bite is also a risk to humans as they are a vector or carrier of diseases.
The Roof rat is nocturnal and unlike mice they shy away from new objects introduced into their territory. The Roof rats nesting preference is the upper parts of structures but has also been found in basements as well as outdoors in trees. Once the Roof rat has established a harborage, they tend to follow the same route to their food and or water source keeping their paths clear of debris.
Roof rats will feed on practically anything, but prefer seeds, nuts, fruits and berries when in season. Roof rats, if available, will feed on snails, slugs, and the American brown and Smokey brown cockroach. Near waterways the Roof rat feeds on fish, shell fish and other aquatics.
Disease Carriers
Norway Rats may carry or contribute to the following:
• Salmonella
• Plague
• Jaundice/leptospirosis/Weils disease
• Trichinosis
Treatment
The control of rodents can be widely varied, depending on the individual situation. Covering holes, filling cracks, baiting or trapping may be necessary. Our trained technicians will determine the best means of control for each client.