norway rat on the ground

What Are Norway Rats?

Also known as sewer rats or brown rats, Norway rats are heavy-bodied, large rats. They are covered in shaggy brown to gray-colored fur, with an underbelly covered in lighter gray to whitish-colored fur. They have small beady eyes, small ears, blunt noses, and a long scaly tail void of hair. An adult’s body grows to about 9 ½ inches in length, and their tail adds another 6-8 inches. These rats are good swimmers, but their dense body prevents them from being great climbers.

norway rat looking for shelter

When Are Norway Rats Most Active?

Norway rats do not hibernate. When the weather cools down, they seek warmer areas to live. Unfortunately, our homes and businesses can become places of shelter for Norway rats. Norway rats are primarily nocturnal, hiding during the day and coming out at night to forage for food.

What Attracts Norway Rats?

Norway rats eat a varied diet of fruits, meats, nuts, and grains. Any property that offers them places to forage for their favorite foods will attract Norway rats. Trash cans, compost piles, gardens, and pet food bowls are places these rodents forage for food.

Norway rats like to create burrows in sheltered areas that are near food sources. Common burrowing sites in or near our Jacksonville homes include spaces under foundations, woodpiles, construction debris, sheds, garages, and garden areas. They also like to nest in the soil along riverbanks. Norway rats typically nest inside crawl spaces, behind walls, and in basement areas inside homes and other buildings.

Are Norway Rats Dangerous?

For many reasons, Norway rats are dangerous unwanted pests. Norway rats can contaminate food, food-prep areas, and other surfaces with their saliva and excrement. They can also spread pathogens that can cause Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, rate-bite fever, and Salmonella.

Norway rats are rodents, and all rodents have front incisors on their top and bottom jaw that continuously grow. To prevent their overgrowth, they constantly chew on any object they come across. Inside, Norway rats and their teeth can cause significant damage to wires, pipes, insulation, walls, floors, and more. Their chewing habits can cause damage to furniture, clothing, shoes, boxes, etc.

Grease marks developing on walls and furniture is another problem associated with Norway rats. These rodents have very poor eyesight. To find their way from food source to nest, they travel the same route using walls and the sides of furniture as a guide.

How Do I Get Rid Of Norway Rats?

Reach out to Lindsey Pest Services to get rid of Norway rats from your residential or commercial property. Effective rodent control at Lindsey Pest Services starts with identifying the rodents present. After identifying a problem with Norway rats, our rodent control experts find potential rodent entry points and provide one-time or ongoing rodent control services to eliminate the infestation. Our rodent control services solve problems with Norway rats through trapping and removal, monitoring, and exclusion. Reach out to Lindsey Pest Services today to learn more about our rodent control solutions!

 
 

Schedule Your Free Inspection

Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection.

or call (904) 552-2346