Among the largest and most aggressive rodents in the Doylestown area, Norway rats are a serious concern for property owners. These rodents also may be called street rats or sewer rats. By any name, they represent a material threat to property and health.
Although Norway rats are colorblind and have poor vision, they use their heightened senses of smell, taste and hearing to successfully navigate their environment. With their ability to swim, climb, jump, run and gnaw through most materials, there is little that the Norway rat cannot penetrate or destroy.
Professional rodent control is the only guaranteed way to eliminate a Norway rat infestation. Without such assistance, these infestations multiply at an alarming speed.
WHAT DO NORWAY RATS LOOK LIKE?
With their blunt muzzles and long, heavy bodies, Norway rats are relatively easy to distinguish from other rodents in the region. Adults may measure between seven and nine-and-a-half inches in length. On their backs, they are covered in coarse brown fur that may be intermixed with a few black hairs. Their fur gets lighter on their underside, usually appearing off-white or gray.
The eyes and ears of the Norway rat are relatively small, and their scaly tail is shorter than the combined length of their head and body.
WHAT DO NORWAY RATS EAT?
Much of the Norway rats' success can be attributed to their omnivorous eating habits. They are known to catch and eat rodents as well as small fish. Animal carcasses are another food source. A variety of meats, nuts, fruits, vegetables and grains round out their diet in the wild.
With a wide variety of food available, kitchens are an excellent resource for Norway rat survival. In addition to the foods to which they are accustomed in the wild, these rodents will consume peanut butter, cheese, bread, pasta, rice, desserts and anything else that they perceive as edible. Pet food also commonly is eaten by Norway rats.
WHERE DO NORWAY RATS LIVE?
Norway rats are nocturnal creatures that require a place to hide during the day. Typically, they live in colonies, which means that when one rat is spotted, others likely are nearby.
Fields and farmland are the most common habitats for Norway rats in the wild. They build underground burrows, frequently along riverbanks, that contain one entrance and at least one escape hole, which may be hidden by debris or long grass.
Around human habitations, Norway rats may nest in woodpiles, refuse piles or beneath concrete slabs. Basements serve as other common nesting sites. Any rooms that have undisturbed clutter similarly may be used for nesting purposes. Typically, the lower levels of buildings are preferred, but nests occasionally are discovered on roofs or in attics.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY NORWAY RATS
Because of their large size, powerful jaws and sharp teeth, Norway rats are able to cause a surprising amount of damage to structures and personal property. A hole the size of a quarter is sufficiently large to allow them access to a building. If they find a hole that is not quite large enough, they will gnaw on it to make it bigger.
Once inside, the damage only gets worse. Norway rats may gnaw through siding, sheetrock, wood and plastic in their efforts to secure food and water. Plastic and metal plumbing pipes may be damaged by rat teeth, and the rodents will make short work of any furniture, upholstery, clothing, towels, books or documents that they encounter. Electrical wires and cords may be severed, resulting in power outages and damage to lamps and major appliances.
ARE NORWAY RATS AGGRESSIVE?
Given their large size and reputation for ferocity, Norway rats are likely to respond with aggression whenever they feel threatened or cornered. This is especially true while in close proximity to their nest. Such encounters tend to be rare since Norway rats are nocturnal creatures. Nonetheless, they do occur, and bites and scratches are common injuries sustained by people.
DO NORWAY RATS CARRY DISEASE?
Norway rats are infamous for their capacity to spread illness. Perhaps the most well-known of these is the plague. While this disease was most prevalent long ago, it is not a dormant illness. Norway rats that are infested with plague-carrying fleas can bring this potentially deadly sickness into homes and offices.
Lyme disease is another sickness that is commonly associated with Norway rats. In fact, these rodents are hosts for the ticks that carry and spread Lyme disease. Other tick-borne illnesses that Norway rats may help to spread include babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and tularemia.
Norway rats further may infect water with a bacterial disease known as leptospirosis. This illness may be spread through drinking or simply touching infested water.
With the added threat of rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, trichinosis and cowpox virus, Norway rats are a serious threat to human health.
HOW TO DETECT NORWAY RATS
Indications of a rodent problem include:
• Grease marks deposited on walls • Nesting materials found in cluttered rooms or basements • Visual sightings of large rodents • Discovering capsule-shaped rodent droppings • Seeing gnaw marks on walls, furniture and elsewhere • Hearing sounds of scurrying and squeaking from behind walls or beneath floors
HOW TO PREVENT NORWAY RATS
To help reduce roof rat issues the following steps should be taken:
• Use metal or glass containers with lids for storing food • Place dirty dishes directly into the dishwasher • Do not allow crumbs or spills to linger • Regularly vacuum and mop kitchen and dining room floors • Put out pet food only at mealtimes • Ensure that all garbage cans have tight lids • Clean garbage cans on a regular basis • Eliminate any holes or cracks in building exteriors and foundations • Trim trees, shrubberies and plants so that they do not touch buildings • Get rid of clutter in and around buildings
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.
