   
Got rats around your home or office? Then you may have a Norway rat problem. Learn to get rid of these Norway rats that are not just found in the outskirts but also throughout cities.
It is surprising to learn the characteristics of these gray rodents are how large wild rats reach or their tails can extend! This is particularly the case for females who are pregnant.
They can get up to 16 inches long (including tails) and, regardless of body length, can be difficult to eliminate. The latter are scientifically called Rattus Norvegicus.
Rat Rattus Norvegicus have small close-set ears without fur. However, their tails are smaller in inches than their bodies. The tails are also fatter at the base and have brown fur. They have small eyes and fur-covered ears.
The Norway Rat, gray in color, doesn't hesitate to wander throughout a home. A female rat's reproduction can give seven litters per year.
Why Should You Be Worried About Norway Rats Infestation?
Anyone who has ever had a Norway rat issue can attest these rodents are not only unsightly but can also pose a serious health risk to humans and animals alike. Norway rats are potentially dangerous. Not only do they carry a number of diseases like Hantavirus, Salmonella, and Leptospirosis, which can spread to a human through contact or from a short range, but their constant gnawing can cause damage to wiring, insulation, and other parts of buildings.
With children or pets in your home, there is a risk of being bitten by Norway rats, so keep them out of range and learn to get rid of rats permanently.
If you believe you have a Norway rat problem, it is important to take action immediately to get rid of them before they cause any further damage or harm. A small rat can wreak havoc in buildings and homes.
Signs of Norway Rats Invasion
Before taking any important step, look out for the following signs to confirm you're dealing with Norway rats:
Gnaw Marks Around the House
One of the telltale signs of the presence of Norway rats is gnawed marks. Norway rats are known for their constant chewing, often leaving behind small teeth marks in wood or other materials and near food.
If you see rodent gnaw marks, it's a good indication there are Norway rats nearby.
Nest
Norway rats are territorial and will often build nests in areas they feel are safe. These nests are usually made from soft materials like paper or cloth and can be found in attics, basements, or even inside the walls of a home.
If you find a nest, it's a good indication there are rats present. They also like to burrow in gardens. The burrows can be small to large, depending on the size of the rats.
Capsule-Shaped Droppings
Another common sign of a rodent epidemic is droppings. Norway rats often leave behind small, black pellets in areas where they travel. If you see these capsule-shaped droppings, it's a good indication there are Norway rats nearby.
Scratching Noises
Norway rats are also known for their scratching noises. If you hear these noises coming from walls or ceilings, it's a good indication you're dealing with Norway rats.
Steps to Get Rid of Norway Rats Infestation
Once you’ve confirmed you’re dealing with Norway rats, follow these steps to address the problem:
Step 1: Eliminate Norway Rats Entry Points
To keep Norway rats from coming into your home in the first place, you need to block off all their potential entry points. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any cracks or holes. Be sure to check around rigorously. The most common entry points for rats are:
- Gaps around doors and windows
- Chimneys
- Holes in walls or ceilings
- Cracks in the foundation
Step 2: Remove Rat's Water and Food Sources
If you're a youngster living alone in an apartment, you may not feel like cleaning up after you eat meals is worth the effort. Rats prefer to stay close to food.
Rats live near food sources. Their diet largely includes some types of fruit, meat, fish, nuts, and cereal grains. When it comes to setting up effective rat traps, consider using the best food for mouse traps. By understanding what attracts them, you can select the most enticing bait to catch these pests. But if you want to get rid of Norway rats, you need to take away their food sources and deprive them of their diet. Store all food in airtight containers whenever possible.
A Norway rat has habits such as sensing food and water left out, as well as those in containers with strong odors. Be sure to clean up even the slightest food leftovers to eat. In other words, avoid providing a rat population with the diet they prefer.
Step 3: Get Rid of Norway Rats Hiding Places
A wharf rat loves food but prefers to hide in dark, small spaces and holes. This behavior is particularly true for a sewer rat, which may also go underground. Yes, a rat population will live happily underground and accept it as their habitat.
To make your home less inviting for them, get rid of all the clutter where they could potentially hide. This includes stacks of newspapers, boxes, and piles of clothing.
If you have any unused rooms in your residential buildings, close them off so no Norway rat has access to them. When closing places off, make sure you ensure there are no openings larger than a rat's head and body.
Step 4: Maintain a Clean Home Exterior
In addition to keeping the inside of your home clean, you also need to maintain a clean exterior, including the roof. Yes, a rodent can enter from the roof. Climbing onto the roof is not a problem for them. Remove any trash or debris from your yard and keep the area around your home free of clutter.
They also often burrow in gardens and seek refuge in such underground burrows, a common habitat. Burrows are a common home for rats.
Trim back bushes or trees, as it can provide Norway rat burrows the cover they need. Get rid of a tree too close to your house, or it might become some burrows. You'll need to locate such underground burrows and eliminate them too.
Step 5: Use Brown Rat Repellents
There are a variety of rat repellents on the market that can be used to deal with a rat population, even if they're in burrows. These repellents use ultrasonic sound waves or strong smells to keep rats away. You can find rat repellents at most home improvement stores, including those used for burrows.
Step 6: Limit Access to Water
A Norway rat needs not only food but also water sources to survive, so it's important to limit its access to it. Repair any leaky pipes or faucets, which are common water sources for a Norway rat, and make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris. If you have a pool, cover it when it's not in use.
Step 7: Set Up a Trap to Remove Norway Rats
Setting up Norway rat traps is a highly effective way to catch a Norway rat and remove it from your home. There are a variety of traps available, including snap traps and live traps.
Be sure to read the instructions carefully before setting up a trap, as you don’t want to accidentally hurt yourself or a family member. The trap must target a rat's head and body, not just its tail.
Step 8: Hire a Pest Control Professional to Eliminate Norway Rats
If you've tried all of these tips and you're still dealing with a rat problem, it's time to call a professional rat exterminator. A rat control professional will not only be able to identify the source of your rat problem but will also develop a customized treatment plan to get rid of the rats for good.
Conclusion
Rats are a major problem in buildings. They carry diseases, damage property, and contaminate food.
If you have rats at home, it is important to take action quickly to get rid of them before they have several litters.
There are many techniques you can use to get rid of rat populations, but the most effective method will vary depending on the situation.
The best way to get rid of Norway rats is typically through trapping and removal as the rat control services of a professional company.
We hope this guide helps resolve the problem of a Norway rat infestation.
