Norway Rats

APPEARANCE:
Norway rats are husky, brownish rodents that weigh about 11 ounces. They are about 13 to 18 inches long including the 6 to 8-1/2 inch tail. Their fur is coarse and mostly brown with scattered black on the upper surfaces. Rat Droppings are about 1/4 of an inch long and are capsule shape with blunt ends.

INFESTATIONS/HABITAT:
The presence of rats can be detected by droppings or evidence of fresh gnawing. Tracks can be seen in mud and on dusty surfaces. Runways and burrows may be found next to or in buildings, under stoops, and in areas near sewers.

DIET:
Rats will eat nearly any type of food, but they prefer high-quality foods such as meat and fresh grain. Rats require 1/2 to 1 fluid ounce of water daily when feeding on dry food.

LIFE CYCLE/REPRODUCTION:
Rats have litters of 6 to 12 young, which are born 21 to 23 days after mating. Young rats reach reproductive maturity in only about three months! Breeding is most active in spring and fall. The average female has four to six litters per year.

TYPE OF DAMAGE/DISEASE:
Norway Rats carry a number of diseases and parasites, but which diseases, and what percentage of the rat population is infected, vary with the population under study. Norway rats gnaw objects, eat stored food, and transmit disease by droppings and urine, bites, and the fleas and mites in their fur. Most diseases transmitted from rats to humans is contacted accidentally through droppings and urine.

FACTS/TIPS ON RATS:
Rats can enter through holes of 3/4 inch or larger. Poor sanitation and the presence of garbage help rats to survive in residential areas. Outside dog pens must be properly maintained to reduce potential rat problems. Rats are very difficult to control and are very cautious of traps, baits, and glue boards. I would suggest hiring a professional when dealing with rats due to there bait shyness.

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