What are Norway Rats?
The Norway rat, or Rattus norvegicus, is one of over 60 species in the mammalian genus Rattus.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the species is common on every continent except Antarctica.
Because of its widespread presence, it is known by many names including the brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, water rat, and wharf rat.
Where Do Norway Rats Nest?
In your yard, as in nature, Norway rats, can be found living:
- in underground burrows near water
- under wood piles
- around gardens
- behind walls
- in basements and crawl spaces
What Attracts Norway Rats?
These rodents are often found in gardens, as well as uncut grass lawns, weeds and thick shrubs. They also like fresh composting piles.
Rat Extermination Services Near You
Get a Croach® pest exterminator near:
- Seattle (including Mukilteo, Sumner, Kirkland, Tacoma, Mount Vernon) and Tri-Cities, Washington.
- Spokane, Post Falls, Kooskia, Lewiston, and Boise, Idaho.
- Portland, Beaverton, Oregon.
- Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
- Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina.
- Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Salt Lake City, Sandy, Utah.
Are Norway Rats Dangerous?
Yes! The CDC states that Norway rats can expose humans to very serious diseases and bacteria including plague, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, hantavirus, Seoul virus, and more!
These diseases are spread mostly through the rat's hair, urine, droppings, saliva, and dust created by them as well as through the contamination of food and cookware.
Therefore, care should be taken to avoid contact with any rat-infected materials.
Damage Caused by Norway Rats
A Norway rat infestation can lead to serious damage to structures and belongings. It's important to understand that rats have front incisors which continuously grow and so must be worn down by gnawing on hard surfaces.
Given that our homes are built of hard materials like wood studs, headers, roof trusses, floor joists, soft concrete, drywall, and sheetrock, it explains why rats destroy buildings. Furthermore, they also gnaw through electrical wiring, posing a fire hazard.
Safety Tips for Handling Rodents
- Always wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, and boots when handling rodents or their urine or droppings.
* Masks protect against dust but do not protect against viruses. - Have damaged and contaminated insulation professionally removed and replaced.
- Do not vacuum or sweep around contaminated areas as it can stir up dust that may contain contaminants.
- Spray and wet down dead rodents, nests, droppings, urine, and other contaminated materials with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or other disinfectant product and let this soak for 10 minutes or as instructed on the label.
- Double bag contaminated materials for disposal.
- Wash hands with soap and water after handling any infested materials.
Why is it So Hard to Get Rid of Norway Rats?
There are many reasons why it is difficult to get rid of rats. One reason is that they breed more prolifically than common rat control measures can keep up with.
For example, female rats reach sexual maturity at 2-5 months and can have three to 12 litters per year with each litter having 4-22 young.
Consequently, DIY solutions are largely ineffective, because they do not address the root of the infestation. Additionally, they pose a safety risk to users.
How Do You Get Rid of Norway Rats?
Norway rats are difficult to exterminate without the help of professional rat control specialists. Because removing the current infestation is simply not enough. For this reason, the CDC recommends an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, such as used by Croach® Pest Control.
Croach® Pest Control focuses on human and pet safety while using a highly effective ecosystem-based strategy for the long-term prevention of pests and the damage they cause. That is why this strategy uses a combination of techniques that include:
- Pest species identification
- Assessment
- Biological control
- Mechanical and physical controls
- Habitat manipulation
- Exclusion
- Chemical control
- Regular and ongoing treatment
The professional technicians at Croach® use customized pest control and prevention techniques over a one-time extermination approach. This protocol controls rodent populations and keeps them from invading your home with a proactive, safe, and affordable approach.
So, it's not surprising that Croach® is a top-ten ranked pest control company with verified reviews.
If you have questions about pest control, call us at (855) 488-7378 or contact us for a FREE INSPECTION.
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