Norway rats look large and threatening. Frequently, they depend upon human habitations to provide them with food, water and shelter. With their tendency to spread disease and cause distaste, it is critical to hire professional rodent control for any Norway rat problem affecting a home or business.
WHAT DO NORWAY RATS LOOK LIKE?
This is a large, bulky rodent with stiff fur that is brown or dark gray. They may be as long as 15 inches from the tip of their nose to the end of their scaly tail. The tail of the Norway rat typically is shorter than the length of its body. This species is larger than most other rodents in Pennsylvania. It can weigh as much as two pounds. Norway rats have big, hairless ears and oversized eyes. They may be identified by their capsule-shaped droppings.
WHAT DO NORWAY RATS EAT?
Norway rats are omnivorous, which is one of the reasons why they are so successful. They are capable of eating almost anything, but they prefer healthy items. Accordingly, Norway rats gravitate toward meat, fruit, grains, nuts and fish. They will catch and kill rodents and fish for meals, and they will scavenge meat from dead animals. People sometimes discover Norway rats searching through outside trash receptacles, as these provide a reliable food source. When the species enters human habitations, they may gnaw through the food packaging stored in pantries.
WHERE DO NORWAY RATS LIVE?
As Norway rats burrow into and under buildings, they cause significant structural damage. The species further is a determined gnawer and is able to chew through wood, plastic and many other common materials. Chewing through electrical wires is known to have caused fires in human habitations. Norway rats are capable of gnawing into water pipes to create an additional source of hydration. Common sites in structures where Norway rat gnawing is discovered include window sills, doors and floors.
When Norway rats get into human food, they contaminate it with their saliva, urine and feces. This makes the food unfit to eat, and it must be thrown away. Large infestations can eat enormous amounts of food and contaminate even more.
ARE NORWAY RATS AGGRESSIVE?
Norway rats are far more likely to show aggression to each other than they are to humans. In fact, because Norway rats are almost exclusively nocturnal, it is relatively rare for people to encounter them. However, males of the species are known to be territorial, and if they feel like a person is encroaching on their territory, it may result in a violent encounter as they will bite people when they feel threatened.
DO NORWAY RATS CARRY DISEASE?
Researchers have discovered that this species may transmit numerous diseases. While many people associate rats with the plague, the roof rat is far more likely to be a carrier than the Norway rat. Nonetheless, Norway rats do transmit diseases like rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis and murine typhus.
Rat-bite fever may be transmitted through a bite or through the consumption of food or water that has been infested with the bacteria. The condition may be serious and possibly fatal if not treated. Salmonellosis is a form of food poisoning that may have symptoms like abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever. Leptospirosis and murine typhus infections are accompanied by chills, diarrhea, headaches, high fevers, nausea and muscle pain. All of these illnesses require prompt and ongoing medical care.
HOW TO DETECT NORWAY RATS
A Norway rat infestation is possible when these signs are discovered:
• Capsule-shaped droppings that may be as long as three-quarters of an inch • Smudge marks along walls and baseboards from oil on the rats' fur • Gnaw marks on wood, plastic and paper • Food packaging with holes and tears • Sounds of rustling, squeaking and climbing coming from walls or under floors • Seeing outdoor burrows near the foundation of buildings
HOW TO PREVENT NORWAY RATS
These steps will help property owners avoid Norway rat infestations:
• Seal all holes and cracks larger than one-half inch with caulk • Concrete mortar and galvanized sheet metal can be used to cover larger openings • Place heavy-duty screens on vents and on top of chimneys • Outdoor trash cans should have tight-fitting lids • Store food only in metal or glass containers that rats cannot gnaw through • Keep thick vegetation well away from foundations and walls • Place wood piles far away from structures • Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed containers • Do not allow pet food and bird seed to sit out for long periods • Remove pet droppings from the yard, as rats may eat these
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
