How To Get Rid Of Norway Rats

Norway Rats

Rattus norvegicus

Norway Rat Identification

Pest Stats

Color

Brown with scattered black hairs; gray to white underside

Shape

Long, heavily bodied; blunt muzzle

Region

Found throughout U.S.

What Do Norway Rats  Look Like?

Norway rats  have  bristly brown fur, with black hairs dispersed throughout their coat. Their underside tends to be lighter, with gray to off-white coloring and even yellow tones. Norway rats  have small eyes and ears, and their tails are shorter than the length of their head and body coupled together.

Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation

There are several telltale signs  that a home has a Norway rat infestation. Gnaw marks throughout the house are one clue of the presence of Norway rats. New bite marks  or holes tend to be rough ,  whereas  older ones  are smooth from wear and are also often greasy.  Spotting droppings, which are capsule-shaped , is another key indicator of a Norway rat problem. Norway rats'  droppings have blunt ends, while those of roof rats have pointed ends. Other signs include footprints, greasy and dark rub marks from oily fur against pathways, burrows, runways with stacked food, and damaged or rummaged-through food products. Check out this infographic  on the signs of a rodent infestation for more information.

Norway Rat Prevention

Find a Pest Control Professional

How to Get Rid of Norway Rats

The safest and most effective way for homeowners to get rid of Norway rats is to work with a licensed pest control professional. A pest control professional will assess the situation and develop an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to successfully eradicate the rodents.

Norway Rat Education

Habits

Norway rats  are social pests, often building shelters close to one another. This means that where there is one burrow, there are likely others close by. The ir  burrow s have at least one entrance hole and a minimum of one bolt-hole ,  or emergency exit ,  which is often hidden under  grass, debris and other materials.

When o utdoors, Norway rats  tend to  live in field s, farmlands and structures. They frequently burrow in soil near riverbanks , in garbage and woodpiles, under concrete slabs , and along railroad embankments, streams and riverbanks .  Norway rats typically enter home s  in the fall when f ood and water sources become scarce  outside. These rodents can fit through a hole the size of a quarter, easily gaining entry into homes to nest. Once inside a home, Norway rats often nest in basements, piles of debris or undisturbed materials.  They also enjoy nesting on the ground floor and on the lower floors of buildings, as well as in sewers. Although they prefer settling on lower levels, Norway rats  may also occasionally reside in attics, on roofs and other high points.

Norway rats are nocturnal. They characteristically forage at dusk ,  and then again prior to dawn. However, t hey eat  several times eac h night and during the daytime. These rats will carry the food  they find  to less busy areas for consumption, or to hoard. Adaptable feeders, Norway rats eat practically anything  but show a preference to meat, fish and cereal . This differs from the eating habits of roof rats, which prefer fruits and vegetables . Dog food is also a favorite menu item for Norway rats .

These rodents are known to gnaw through almost anything – including plastic or lead pipes – to obtain food and water sources for survival . Norway rats almost always require a water source separate from th e liquid they may find in food. They are creatures of habit. If they eat something they dislike , Norway rats will quickly develop an aversion to that food and search for an alternative option. Once they find a favorable food source, Norway rats will return time and again . They tend to follow the same route —usually along a vertical pathway that they feel out with their long whiskers— between their shelter and sources of food and water. They will typically travel about 100 to 150 f ee t away f rom their shelter for food and water , although this range is smaller in urban areas where they will venture only about 25 to 100 feet away from their home.

Threats

Thanks to their propensity to gnaw through almost anything, Norway rats  can cause damage to properties and structures, making them a threat to homeowners. Equally important, Norway rats are carriers of  serious  diseases ,  including jaundice, rat-bite fever, cowpox virus, trichinosis and salmonellosis. Learn more about the health threats posed by rodents in the article, " An Overview of the Real Health Risks Posed By Mice and Rat Infestations ." Norway rats  also pose other health threats, as they can  contaminate food and introduce fleas  into a home.

How To Get Rid Of Norway Rats

Source: https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/rodents/norway-rats/

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