Facts About Roof Rats & Norway Rats
Roof Rat
Norway Rat
Characteristics
Roof Rat
- Referred to as black rat
- Slightly smaller than Norway rat
- Tails are longer than head and body combined
- Agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation such as ivy
- In buildings, they are most often found in enclosed or elevated spaces such as attics, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets
- Has a more limited geographical range than the Norway rat, preferring ocean-influenced, warmer climates
- In areas where the roof rat occurs, the norway rat might also be present
Norway Rat
- Referred to as brown or sewer rat
- Stocky burrowing rodent
- Larger than the roof rat
- Burrows are found along building foundations, beneath rubbish or woodpiles, and in moist areas in and around gardens and fields
- Nests can be lined with shredded paper, cloth, or other fibrous material
- Usually remain in the basement or ground floor when invading a building/aparmtnet
- Live throughout the 48 contiguous United States
- While generally found at lower elevations, this species can occur wherever people live
Identifying An Infestation
A rat is active throughout the year. If a rat is able to invade a garden or landscaping, it is only a matter of time before there is evidence of them inside as well.
Here are some signs of a rat problem:
- Droppings around dog or cat dishes or pet food storage containers
- Noises from inside the walls just after dusk
- Strange smudge marks on beams, rafters, pipes, and walls(These marks can be caused by rats rubbing their fur against them)
- Burrows among plants or damaged vegetables when working in your lawn and garden
- Burrows beneath your compost pile or beneath the garbage can
- Evidence of something digging under your garden tool shed or doghouse
If you are unsure of the species, look for rats at night with a bright flashlight, or trap a few.
General Behavior
- Active mostly at night
- Have poor eyesight
- Have specialized hearing, smell, taste, and touch
- Constantly explore and learn
- Rats memorize the locations of pathways, obstacles, food and water, shelter, and features of their environment
- Can detect and tend to avoid new objects and novel foods
- Often avoid traps and baits for several days or more following their initial placement
- Rats gain entry to structures by gnawing, climbing, jumping, or swimming through sewers and entering through toilets or broken drains
- Norway rats are more powerful swimmers
- Roof rats are more agile and are better climbers
Roof Rat
- Eats a wide variety of food
- fruits
- nuts
- berries
- slugs
- snails
- avocados
- often eat fruit that is still on the tree
- Favorite Habitat
- attics
- trees
- overgrown shrubbery
- Residential or industrial areas with mature landscaping
- Roof rats routinely travel up to 300 feet for food
- They can live in the landscaping of one residence and feed at another
- They often can be seen at night running along overhead utility lines or fence tops
- They move faster than Norway rats and are very agile climbers
- They can live in trees or in attics and climb down to a food source
- Roof rats prefer to nest in locations off the ground
- 3 to 5 litters per year(5 to 8 young in each litter)
Norway Rat
- Eats a wide variety of food
- cereal grains
- meats
- fish
- nuts
- fruits
- Only travels about 100-150 feet while in search for food/water
- Almost never travels more than 300 feet away from burrow or nest
- 4 to 6 litters per year(20 or more offspring annually)
Removal
We carry the following product(s) to help you remove rats from your house or lawn or anywhere they are pestering you.
Additional Info On The Norway Rat & Roof Rat
If you would like to get additional information on rats, click the link below and get some great info provided by UC Davis.
Get More Info On The Norway-Rat & Roof-Rat
