(Have You Seen Me?)

It's the Bug Mug Shot Locator

Contact EnviroSafe for immediate assistance.

INTRODUCTION. The Norway rat is the largest of the commensal rodents and the most common commensal rat in the temperate regions of the world.  It not only damages/destroys materials by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, but it is also of human health importance as a vector or carrier of diseases.  It is thought to be of central Asian origin, but is now worldwide distribution and found throughout the United States.

RECOGNITION. Adult with combined head and body length 7-9.5in (18-25 cm), tail length 6-8in (15-21 cm), usual weight about 7-18 oz (200-500 g) but up to 20.5 oz (620 g).  Fur coarse, shaggy, brown with scattered black hairs, with underside grey to yellowish white.  With muzzle blunt, eyes small, ears small (do not reach eyes) and densely covered with short hairs.  Heavy bodied.  With scaly tail bicolored (darker above), shorter than head and body combined.  Adult droppings up to 3/4in (20 mm) long, capsule-shaped,  and with blunt ends.

 

 

 

 


HABITS. Rats are primarily nocturnal in habit and they are cautious.  Although they constantly explore their surroundings, they shy away from new objects and changes.  Outdoors, Norway rats prefer to nest in burrows in the soil along railroad embankments, stream/river banks, piles of rubbish, under concrete slabs, etc.  The burrow will have at least 1 entrance hold and at least 1 bolt-hole or emergency exit which is often hidden under grass, debris, etc.  These are social animals and often many burrows will be located within a given area.  An opening of greater than 1/2in (12 mm) is required for entry into buildings.  Indoors, Norway rats usually nest in basements and the lower portions of buildings in piles of debris or merchandise as long as it is not disturbed.  Although Norway rats prefer the ground or lower levels of buildings and sewers, on occasion they may be found in attics, on roofs, and in other high places.

     Although they will eat practically anything, Norway rats prefer meat, fish, and cereal.  If the food material eaten proves to be disagreeable, they are quick to develop food/bait shyness.  Once they find an acceptable/preferred food, rats tend to eat their fill at one sitting/place and will return time after time.  They almost always require a nonfood or separate source of water.  Norway rats will travel about 100-150 ft (30.5-45.7 m) from their harborage for food and/or water.  They will gnaw through almost anything to obtain food and/or water, even plastic or lead pipes.

     Once established, Norway rats tend to follow the same route or pathway between their harborage and food and/or water sources.  As often as possible, they follow vertical surfaces which their vibrissae or long whiskers can contact.  Runways along vertical surfaces will usually include dark rub marks on the vertical surfaces where their oily fur makes contact.  Their runway will be free of debris, and outdoors, the grass will be worn away to the bare soil.

Copyright(c) 2004 Envirosafe. All rights reserved.
customerservice@envirosafepc.com