Norway rats are a type of rodent that can be found in and around homes. They are thought to be of Asian origin and can live in or around residential homes in almost any climate. Norway rats are large rodents that grow to be about eight inches long. They have a long, scaly tail and very prominent front teeth, which they use to cut through material like wires. Are Norway rats dangerous?
Their bodies are brownish, with black hair and white underparts. They are colorblind and have poor vision, but their other senses are strong and capable of compensating. Despite their size, they are excellent climbers. They dig burrows in the soil and are mostly found near water sources, farms, garbage dumps, and riverbanks. They make their way into homes as the weather changes and the food supply dwindles.
Norway Rats Cause Problems in Your Home
Norway rats can enter your home through as small as a quarter-sized hole. They prefer to nest on lower levels of the house, such as the basement and first floor but have been known to nest in attics and roofs as well. These rodents will consume almost anything, including garbage, pet food, and other household food sources such as easily accessible leftovers. Because of their insatiable appetite and the variety of foods they can consume, Norway rats can cause significant damage to both homes and businesses.
The Norway rat will gnaw on anything in its path. When they chew through walls to gain access to the home’s interior, they cause structural damage. Aside from being destructive, they also spread diseases like salmonella, rat-bite fever, and trichinosis. They also serve as a home for parasites such as fleas and ticks, which can spread diseases. If you find Norway roof rat in your home then contact Atap Exterminators.
Warning Signs
Rat infestation symptoms include:
- Unknown urine or feces stains or odors in the home
- Rat excrement
- Tracks or nests in and around the house
- Rats can be found throughout the house.
- Holes and gnaw marks
- The rat’s fur has greasy oil marks.
- If you notice these or other signs of a rat infestation, you must act quickly before the infestation spreads.
Preventing Norway Rats
- Because the Norway or brown rat is such a prolific animal, it’s also critical to be proactive in keeping them out. Prevention is the most effective way to keep these pests at bay.
- Seal off any possible entry points for these rodents into your home, as they can fit through holes as small as a quarter.
- You can also use repellants around garbage cans and pet food receptacles to keep Norway rats away from these areas.
- Pet food should be kept inside, covered, and out of reach of children.
- Keep leftovers in airtight containers.
- Close garbage can lids tightly.
- Repair any water leaks near your foundation or in your basement.
- Maintain a low-hiding-place environment for Norway rats by removing all unnecessary clutter from your home that could provide a place for Norway rats to hide or build nests.
How Atap Exterminators Can Assist
Norway rats are a common pest in homes and businesses across the United States. These pests can do a lot of harm. When they break into your home or business, they will look for food and water, which they require to survive. The issue is that they eat almost anything, including human food, garden crops, and dry goods like cereals and flour. As a result, if you discover Norway rats in your home, you must act quickly.
Contacting the residential pest control professionals at Atap Exterminators is the most effective and safest way to deal with a rat infestation. We can help you eliminate existing populations and ensure that rats do not return.
Before discussing Norway’s rat problems, let’s examine their habits and habitats. Lazy but smart, Norway rats. They’ve learned that living near people makes it easier to meet their basic needs and reduces the risk of being eaten by predators. Large rodents prefer urban areas because they can use human homes for nesting, feeding, and breeding.
As poor climbers, Norway rats prefer basements and lower floors. Brownish-gray fur and size distinguish them. 10-12 inches long, including the tail. Large sizes would make them easy to spot, but that’s not the case. They are fast and expert hiders, especially if they are new to your home; but it won’t be long before they breed and a large colony shares your home. Each female has five litters a year with 7-14 pups. A single female Norway rat can have 35-70 offspring in a year, and some of them can reproduce 5 weeks after birth. Mind-boggling multiplication factors.
One more thing to know about these furry rodents. Norway rats are harmful. They threaten your home’s safety and can spread dangerous diseases. Rodents have never-ending front teeth. Constant chewing keeps their teeth healthy. Drywall, insulation, beams, furniture, boxes, pipes, personal items, and wiring are favorites. Aside from obvious damage, they may chew on live wires and start a fire. They cause water damage and mold, too.
Mold alone can cause cold and allergy-like symptoms, but that’s not the real danger. Norway rats can carry and transmit murine typhus, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis. Since Norway rats do not receive veterinary care, they are infested with fleas, mites, and other parasites that can spread these diseases and add their own pathogens.
You can take precautions to prevent Norway rats from entering your home and from finding food and water if they do. Examples:
- Sealing cracks, crevices, and gaps along your home’s foundation.
- Trimming trees and bushes to prevent home damage.
- Clutter-free yard and home.
- Internal and external leak repairs.
- Instead of leaving food out, store it in sealed containers or in the fridge. Keeping trash in sealed outdoor bins.
- Regularly vacuuming under appliances.
- Regularly clean between stove and counters.
Even with these precautions, you’re likely to encounter a Norway rat. They are resourceful and resilient. Contact a pest control company for year-round protection against Norway rats and the damage and disease they cause. You can read more about Norway rats vs roof rats and differentiate between them. Atap exterminator is best to kill the Norway rat. We use safe, EPA-registered products and integrated pest management strategies to help you identify and correct conditions that attract Norway rats to your property and home. For more information; call us at 773-701-7705.