No one wants to contend with rodents invading their property. Rodents offer nothing more than health concerns and excessive damage to your home or business. Where mice are a common dilemma, rats are an equal threat that is larger and often a bigger problem than mice as well. Throughout Utah and Idaho, Norway rats are the most common rat species to invade commercial and residential properties. With that in mind, we at Rentokil would like to discuss Norway rats.

What Attracts Norway Rats?

Like most pests, Norway rats are typically engaging homes and businesses looking for food, water, and to perhaps escape unfavorable weather conditions. Norway rats are capable of excessive destruction as they foraging for food and nesting materials.

How Big is a Norway Rat?

The Norway rats’ tail is shorter than the length of their body to their heads, and from tail to the tip of their nose, they are about 17 inches long and weigh approximately 14 – 17 ounces. In comparison to other rats, Norway rats are a bit larger and stockier, though they do have similar characteristics of other rat species. Norway rats have scales on their tails and ears with otherwise shaggy fur that is typically variations of gray and brown.

Norway Rat Burrows

They are just as capable as living outside as they are inside as Norway rays are very adaptable. Norway rats preferred to be grounded. Inside they are found on ground floors or basements, and outside they hunker down in the dense vegetation to hide from predators, commonly barn owls, spotted skunks, and house cats. They typically burrow under outbuildings. Though they prefer to be grounded, they are perfectly at ease climbing great heights and can easily traverse along power lines and rooftops.

What did Do Norway Rats like to Eat?

Norway rats prefer vegetarian options such as seeds, fruits, and other plant matter, but when food is scarce, they will eat edible found in the garbage and animal matter. In ranching and farming communities Norway rats will consume eggs and baby chicks as well as young pigs and lambs in some documented cases.

Norway Rat Infestations

Norway rats can reproduce quickly, as gestation is only 21 to 23 days with an average of 7 pups in a litter, but the females are capable of having anywhere between 2 to 14 babies per litter. Norway rats typically slow down reproduction in the fall and winter, especially if they live outdoors, but are capable of reproducing all year long, especially those rodents that live indoors. Babies are born hairless and blind and it will take 14-17 days before their eyes can open. As a result, the young are super dependent on their mothers for about 4 weeks.

Norway Rat Damage & Diseases

As the infestation community grows, the damage to the home or business’s structure increases and the cost for repairs can be devastating. Next to the damage, Norway rats carry diseases such as rat-bite fever, bubonic plague, endemic typhus fever, and other known ailments.

Rodent Control & Removal

If you suspect Norway rats in your home or business, do not delay. Contact the experts of Rentokil for assistance!