Norway Rats

Norway rats are very intelligent, twice the size of roof rats, and still cause just as much damage and pose the same contamination risks. During the fall, when reproduction rates are the highest for these rats, is generally when they will begin to seek shelter in your home and perhaps go undetected as they reproduce. If you aren’t careful, these rats can quickly overtake your home, posing significant health risks to you and your family.

Identifying Norway Rats in the United States

Norway rats are the largest rats, some of them weighing more than twice that of roof rats at over one pound. They have shorter tails, which often appear to be two-toned from the rat’s partially haired skin. The Norway rat’s color can range from grayish brown to reddish-brown and is usually darker in color than other rats.

Norway rats will eat just about anything that humans will eat. They are gifted scavengers and will usually make their nests in or near the ground. They are frequently found in crawl spaces under homes and most active at night, which is why it’s easy for them to live undetected for so long in your home. If you’ve heard scratching and scurrying throughout the house it’s likely the rat population in your home has swelled beyond control.

How to Prevent Norway Rats

If Norway rats choose to set up shop in your home, they might go undetected for months until their populations are so large, they are nearly impossible to control without professional help. However, you can prevent Norway rats by creating an undesirable environment for them by cleaning up food spills, keeping food sealed in sturdy plastic containers, and sealing cracks in your foundation, basement, and throughout your home. Even the smallest hole is an opportunity for these rats to chew a hole big enough for them to slip inside. 

If you’re not sure if you have Norway rats, look for signs of chewing and greasy streaks along the walls where these rats are entering and leaving your home.

Rid Your Home of Norway Rats with PURCOR

Rats are among the more unsettling pests to find in your home and their presence can pose significant health risks to you and your family. Luckily, with PURCOR’s expertise, you can keep your family healthy and your home safe from the destruction these rodents can cause. Our pest control specialists will inspect your home for signs of infestation and determine a treatment plan to send Norway rats packing. You deserve a rat-free home so give us a call or schedule your free consultation online today.