How to Get Rid of Burrowing Rats

When you have rodents of any kind in or around your home, it’s likely you want to get rid of them right away and by any means possible. Before extermination efforts are made, it’s important to understand precisely what kind of rodent you’re dealing with. While roof rats are certainly worrisome, Norway rats or burrowing rats are perhaps even worse in terms of size and aggression.

If you notice Norway rats in or near your house, it’s time to call a professional. The experts at PURCOR have the experience necessary to properly and safely keep rodents away from your home. We also will help you learn how to rodent-proof your home to avoid them for good! Read on to learn some of the most effective ways to get rid of burrowing rats.

Identifying Norway Rats

The burrowing rats known as Norway rats are much larger and occasionally more aggressive than the roof rat. Some of their identifying traits include:

• They are larger than roof rats and can grow up to 8 inches long with 4-inch-long tails. Their weight can range from 12 to 16 ounces.
• Although they are overall bigger, Norway rats have smaller eyes, ears, and tails than other rats. The best way to identify the difference between a Norway rat and a roof rat is through their tail size: The roof rat has a tail that can extend back toward its head, while the Norway rat has a tail that cannot reach its head.
• They are covered in shaggy gray or brown hair and can have a white-gray underside.
• Their droppings are capsule-shaped and about ¼ inch longer than those of roof rats or nearly ½ inch longer than those of house mice.

Getting Rid of Burrowing Rats

Norway rats can cause significant property damage by gnawing through just about anything, even plastic or lead pipes in the hunt for food. They are also carriers of disease, including jaundice, rat-bite fever, cowpox virus, salmonellosis, and more. Because of the dangers these burrowing rats can cause, it’s important to not only exterminate them from the home but also implement prevention methods to keep them from coming back. When you have a professional from PURCOR rid of the rats in your home, they will also recommend some of the following prevention tips to keep Norway rats away for good:

• Seal and secure all containers. By ensuring your garbage cans and food containers are sealed, you can help prevent rats from accessing them. Do not leave pet food of feces out for long.
• Remove debris piles. Keeping firewood stored away and eliminating piles of debris in the yard will reduce nesting opportunities. Trim back trees that reach the house as well.
• Eliminate sources of water. Fix any plumbing leaks, remove outdoor containers that retain water, and make sure sprinklers or spigots aren’t dripping to keep rodents away. Keep basements and crawl spaces free of standing water or moisture.
• Block entryways. Seal up any gaps or openings around doors, windows, and chimneys. Consider investing in sturdy covers for vents that lead outside as well.

Professional Protection for your Home

If you have Norway rats in or around your home, it’s important to call a professional. Getting rid of these burrowing rats isn’t always easy, and the experts here at PURCOR can help ensure the problem is completely eliminated. We understand how distressing a rodent infestation is, which is why we’re also committed to helping our customers pest-proof their home and keep rodents away for good. Give us a call today to learn how we can get rid of burrowing rats in your home!