Norway rats are one of history’s most infamous pests. Also known as the brown rat, street rat, sewer rat, and many other names, Norway rats have spread across the world from their native origins in Northern China, and they have been living alongside humans for thousands of years. These large, aggressive rats tend to out compete and drive away not only mice but smaller and weaker rat varieties like the black rat. This is one of the reasons why Norway rats are now the dominant rat species in Europe and much of North America.
Can Norway Rats Cause Problems For Homeowners?
Norway rats can cause all sorts of issues for homeowners. First off, there’s the simple ick factor. These rats can reach nearly a foot in length and weigh almost two pounds. That makes them one of the largest home-invading rats in North America. They’re not shy about throwing their weight around. Norway rats won’t just push smaller rodents around, they may also bite people or pets in defense of themselves or their young. This is one of the ways they can expose you to the most significant danger they pose: disease.
While it’s not common to get diseases from a rat bite (though it does happen) because rats tend to avoid contact with humans, rats can expose you to dozens of different pathogens in several ways. They may contaminate surfaces or food stores with their dirty feet, saliva, shed hairs, and droppings. They can also bring parasite infestations into your home, including fleas, mites, ticks, and more. Norway rats can also exacerbate allergies and expose you to airborne infections by leaving hairs and droppings in your environment, especially in your home’s air duct system.
Rats also destroy property along with spreading disease. They may chew through walls to make suitable nesting holes, and they love to rip up furniture cushions and fiberglass insulation in their quest for plush nesting materials. Norway rats can also stain furniture and flooring with their urine and feces.
Perhaps their most destructive behavior is constantly gnawing at everything. Because they have to grind down their teeth – which never stop growing – Norway rats will chew through just about every hard surface in your home. Since they’re larger than most other rodents you’ll find in your house, they can do a lot more damage than an infestation of mice or smaller rat varieties.
How Can I Prevent Norway Rats?
Most Orange County home and business owners don’t need a lot of extra motivation to keep these disgusting pests away from their property. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do:
- Reduce Attractants: Norway rats aren’t picky. They’ll root through the garbage, eat from the dog bowl, and chew into any food package they find. That means you need to keep things like pantry foods, pet foods, and trash (even compost) stored in tightly covered, durable containers. This applies to indoor and outdoor garbage.
- Eliminate Entryways: Despite their comparatively large size, Norway rats can squeeze into some unbelievably tight spaces. That means you’ll need to seal off any hole you find to exclude them. Repair damage to your home’s exterior with silicone caulk. Cover legitimate openings like ventilation and condensation outlets with rodent mesh.
Call The Experts
Rats are one of the toughest pests to keep out of your home because there are just so many goodies inside it. That means you’ll probably need expert help with keeping your home rat-free. Luckily, help is just a click or call away. Here at Admiral Pest Control, we’ve been offering premium pest services to Southern California since 1947! We’ve got the tools and experience with every rat variety endemic to our area, meaning we can kick your rats to the curb for good. Give us a call at (562) 580-4279 or visit our contact page to request a free estimate today.
