Facts: Norway Rat
Name:
Rattus norvegicus
Appearance: The Norway rat averages around six to eight inches in length, and is brown or dark grey in color. They have small eyes and ears for their body size, and unlike mice, the length of their tail is shorter than the length of their body. Rats will also leave lots of droppings like mice will, but those droppings are larger in size and pill shaped, rather than thin and blunt on one end like mice.
Habit and Habitat: Rats are cautious creatures, and spend most of the day time hours hiding in burrows they’ve dug out as nesting sites. As a result, they will often only come out at night to search for food and water. When rodent populations become large and their nesting site becomes over crowded, the weaker rodents are forced to search for their food during the day time. Seeing large rodents during the day generally indicates a high level infestation nearby. Rats have very poor eye sight, but make up for it by having a strong sense of smell by “feeling” their way around areas with their whiskers and body hair.
Diet: Omnivorous; prefers fresh foods and a balanced diet. Will consume grains, meat, plant material, fruits, etc. Needs lots of water to survive.
Reproduction: Like mice, Norway rats are frequent breeders, reaching sexual maturity within 2 months. Females can give birth to up to seven litters of young per year, with around ten young per litter. That means that one female mouse, in a favorable environment, can produce up to 70 offspring a year! Rats breed all year round; adult rats can live up to a year.
Our Services
We have been providing pest control solutions for New Jersey homes and businesses for over 80 years. Trust a company with the experience and knowledge to get the job done right.
Click below for more information on our pest control services.
Click HERE For A Free Estimate!
With a free estimate from one of our experienced professionals, you learn about all of the benefits of Paramount’s services. We will work with you to design a specialized program specific to your needs! Call or click for a free estimate.