Norway Rats aka Brown Rat or Sewer Rat
Facts
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Description
- Norway rats are large rodent, about 8-10 inches in body length and 7-10 inches in tail length.
- Brown or dark grey, with a lighter belly and shaggy fur.
- May weigh in excess of 500 grams.
- Ears and tail are covered in scales, and the tail is shorter than the head and body.
- Typically nest in underground burrows from which they enter buildings in search of food.
- Tend to remain in hiding during the day.
- Norway rat droppings are 18 to 20 mm and capsule shaped.
- Norway rats often are attracted to homes for 3 basic necessities: food, water and shelter. Premise owners need to reduce or eliminate as many of these sources as possible.
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Life History
- They reach sexual maturity in two to five months and can breed any month of the year. Litters may number from four to 22.
- Females can have three to 12 litters per year.
- Adults generally live up to one year in the wild.
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Damage
- Norway rats are omnivorous and feed on a variety of food source.
- Feed mainly on grains, meat products, insects, and cereal.
- Can transmit diseases, contaminate food, and damage food packaging.
- Sightings during the day often indicate a potentially large infestation.
- Outdoor burrows surrounding the building may be an indication of Norway rat nesting.
- Rub marks or grease stains caused by rats running along an edge also can indicate activity. The darker the stain, the greater the activity.