- Norway Rats are large for the species, growing up to 10 inches in length and weighing close to one pound.
- Norway Rats are true omnivores, and they are opportunistic eaters. Living wherever humans live, they feed from and contaminate up to a third of the world’s food supply.
- Norway Rats are bulky and heavy, and as such, are not great climbers. They tend to build their nests in burrows in the ground. In your home or yard, this is typically under a shed, in the crawl space, or in a cavity in a wall.
- Exodus Pest Control can control the rats without poison and prevent future infestations by excluding possible points of entry.
Norway Rats, also known as Brown Rats, are brown or gray, or a combination of both colors. These rats are large for the species, growing up to 10 inches in length and weighing close to one pound. Norway Rats are true omnivores, and they are opportunistic eaters. Living wherever humans live, they feed from and contaminate up to a third of the world’s food supply. Fun fact-there are typically 3 times as many rodents as humans in any given population.
Roof Rats or Black Rats
Roof Rats, or Black Rats, are slightly smaller than Norway Rats. They are also leaner and as such, are excellent climbers. Roof Rats are typically found in the upper areas of the home, such as the attic or in soffits.
All rodents gnaw on surfaces, out of boredom, but also to keep their teeth worn down. Like a saber-toothed tiger, a rat’s teeth will continually grow and curl about its face, causing starvation. And it is true; the Norway rat can gnaw through steel, cinder block, even lead pipe. It is believed that a good proportion of home fires with unknown causes are attributed to rodents gnawing on electrical wires.
Do I have Rats?
One of the first signs of rodents in your house is droppings, or feces. You may also hear the sounds of running or scratching in the walls, attic, or under the house. Of course a sighting of a rodent typically means they have made a home in yours, but a sighting during the day inside the living space of a house – this typically means the population is bursting at the seams. If the Norway Rat or the Roof Rat is believed to be the cause, I highly recommend a professional take care of the job for you. Rats are highly intelligent creatures and can learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of other rats.
