Table of Contents
What are the major pest rodents?
Rodents 101 Several kinds of mice and rats are found in the United States, but only three are considered major pests: the house mouse, the Norway rat, and the roof rat.
Are Norway rats and brown rats the same?
The Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, is known by many names such as the brown rat, common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, city rat, water rat and wharf rat. Living in close proximity to humans, wild Norway rats are often considered pests (Khlyap et al., 2012).
Do roof rats and Norway rats live together?
As previously mentioned, Norway rats outcompete roof rats, now we are saying that they can be found together. In areas that have both species (again, the southern states and coastal areas), if food is plentiful, both Norway and roof rats can be found in the same locations.
What’s the difference between a roof rat and a Norway rat?
Norway rats. Roof rats have black fur with pale underbellies, while Norway rats have brownish-gray coats. Adult roof rats measure about eight inches in length, while Norway rats can be up to ten inches long. Additionally, the roof rat typically has a much longer tail.
How do you know what kind of rodent is in your house?
How to Tell if You Have Mice or Rats
- Urine Odor. Rodent urine has a strong musky odor.
- Gnawed Holes. Gnawed mouse holes are small, clear-cut, and about the size of a dime.
- Rub and Gnaw Marks. Oily rub marks are left in places where rodents travel along walls.
- Runways.
- Nests.
- Noises.
- Pet Behavior.
Where do roof rats live during the day?
A roof rat spends most of the day sleeping in its nest. These rodents are nimble climbers and live in high places like attics or above drop ceilings. If residents notice a roof rat during the day, it could point to the presence of a larger population just out of sight.
Are roof rats different than regular rats?
Appearance. Roof rats are generally black in color, while Norway rats are brown or gray. Roof rats have smaller and sleeker bodies than Norway rats, and their fur is smooth. Other roof rat features include large ears with very little hair and pointy faces.
How do I get rid of Norwegian rats?
To get rid of rats quickly, make sure garbage cans are covered and emptied often, clean up outdoor bird and pet feces and fix plumbing leaks and outdoor sources of standing water. Remove debris piles, keep firewood stored away from structures and trim any tree limbs that come in contact with your home.
How do you get rid of roof rats?
Trapping or repelling roof rats can effectively reduce the pest population in your home. You have several options in commonly used rat traps – snap traps, glue traps and electronic traps – as well as repellent options.