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Rats are more than just a nuisance; they pose health risks and can cause significant damage to your property. Understanding these pests is the first step in protecting your home.
Norway rats, often referred to as brown rats (Rattus norvegicus), are among the most common rodents found in urban areas. With their stocky bodies and short tails, Norway rats prefer to burrow, making their nests underground. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in human environments, often leading to significant infestations if not managed properly.
Roof rats, or black rats (Rattus rattus), are smaller than their Norway counterparts. Roof rats prefer warmer climates and can cause problems in both urban and rural settings. Their preference for elevated nesting areas distinguishes them from Norway rats, which are more likely to nest underground.
Learn more about the most common types of rats found in North America, along with the risks they pose and how to handle infestations.
Recognizing rats is key to identifying and addressing an infestation early. These rodents have specific physical traits that set them apart from other pests, including their size, body shape, and fur color.
Rats are identifiable by their elongated bodies, pointed snouts, and large ears, which are distinctive features that set them apart from other rodents.
Norway rats typically have a robust build, with fur that ranges from brown to gray and lighter-colored bellies. Their bodies are thick and stocky, and their tails are shorter, measuring about three-quarters the length of their bodies.
In contrast, roof rats are more slender and agile. They generally display black or dark gray fur and possess longer tails that are roughly the same length as their bodies. Their streamlined appearance allows them to navigate tight spaces and climb effectively, often leading them into attics and upper levels of buildings.
In addition to color and size, other physical traits can help identify these pests. Both species have large, sensitive whiskers that assist in navigation and foraging, as well as sharp incisors capable of gnawing through various materials.
Recognizing these physical characteristics is essential for homeowners, as it enables early detection of potential infestations.
The differences between roof rats and Norway rats extend beyond size and appearance. Typically, Norway rats are bulkier, weighing between 7 to 18 ounces and measuring about 12 to 18 inches long, including the tail. They are primarily burrowers, favoring habitats like basements and sewers, which allows them to dig and navigate effectively through the soil.
In contrast, roof rats are slimmer, typically weighing 5 to 10 ounces and measuring 13 to 18 inches long, with tails that can be longer than their bodies. They prefer nesting in elevated areas such as trees and attics, demonstrating excellent climbing abilities.
Behaviorally, Norway rats are more aggressive and territorial, establishing dominant territories they defend from other rats. They tend to be cautious and avoid new objects in their environment.
Roof rats are more curious and exploratory, often venturing into new areas in search of food.
While both species are omnivorous, Norway rats prefer meat and grains, whereas roof rats favor fruits, nuts, and seeds.
Understanding where rats live can help you prevent infestations and keep them away from your home.
Rats thrive in both urban and rural environments. In cities, they are often found in basements, sewers, and near dumpsters, taking advantage of the food and shelter that human activity provides. In rural areas, both species can be found in agricultural fields, barns, and woodpiles, where they have access to plentiful food sources.
Rats construct their nests using various materials, such as shredded paper, fabric, and insulation. Norway rats typically burrow into the ground, while roof rats prefer elevated locations, often nesting in trees or attics.
Rats are opportunistic feeders, and love environments where food is easily accessible. Their behavior and diet are closely linked, as their feeding habits influence where they live and how they interact with their surroundings.
Rats are omnivorous, consuming a wide range of foods, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and meats. Their diverse diet is crucial for their survival and adaptability, enabling them to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to rural settings.
Rats particularly prefer high-calorie foods, such as peanut butter, nuts, and processed snacks, which provide the energy needed for their active lifestyles. This preference makes it essential for homeowners to minimize food sources around their properties to deter these pests.
Keeping food stored in airtight containers, promptly cleaning up spills, and securing trash can significantly reduce the risk of attracting rats to your home.
As primarily nocturnal creatures, rats are most active at night, typically emerging after dark to forage for food. During this time, they rely heavily on their keen sense of smell, hearing, and whisker sensitivity to navigate their surroundings and locate food sources. Their nocturnal behavior allows them to avoid predators and human detection, often leading to infestations going unnoticed until significant damage has occurred or signs of their presence become evident.
This stealthy nature makes regular inspections essential for homeowners, as early detection of droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials can help address infestations before they escalate into larger problems.
Spotting a rat infestation early can help prevent serious damage and health risks.
Identifying a rat infestation early is crucial. Look for common signs such as:
If you suspect your home is showing signs of a rat infestation, don't hesitate. Contact our team of professionals at Ehrlich pest control today.
Rats tend to inhabit areas that provide shelter and food. Common locations include attics, basements, crawl spaces, and kitchens. They are skilled at exploiting gaps and openings in a home’s structure, making it essential to conduct regular inspections to identify and seal potential entry points.
Rats pose serious health risks to humans, as they can spread dangerous diseases through direct contact, droppings, and contaminated surfaces.
Rats are known carriers of several diseases that pose significant health risks to humans. Notable diseases include leptospirosis, hantavirus, and salmonella.
These diseases can be transmitted through direct contact with rats, such as bites or scratches, but they can also spread indirectly through exposure to contaminated surfaces, droppings, urine, or nesting materials.
For instance, hantavirus can be contracted by inhaling dust contaminated with rodent droppings, while leptospirosis can be contracted through contact with water or soil contaminated with rat urine. Contaminated food sources can lead to salmonella infections, highlighting the importance of proper sanitation and food storage.
Awareness of these health risks is crucial for safeguarding your health. Maintaining a clean living environment, sealing entry points to prevent infestations, and taking precautions when dealing with potential rat droppings or nesting materials are essential steps in helping to minimize exposure.
In addition to health concerns, rats can cause substantial property damage. Their gnawing habits are particularly destructive, as they continuously chew on various materials to keep their ever-growing incisors filed down. This behavior can damage electrical wires, which not only poses a fire hazard but can also lead to costly repairs and interruptions in power supply.
Insulation and wooden structures may suffer significant damage, compromising the integrity of your home. Their nesting behavior can also obstruct pipes, leading to plumbing problems such as leaks or clogs that can escalate into serious water damage. Rats often choose hidden areas, like basements or attics, to create nests using shredded materials, which can lead to further structural issues over time.
The presence of rats can also attract other pests, compounding the potential for damage and increasing the costs associated with pest control and repairs. If you suspect a rat infestation, it is vital to get rid of these pests promptly.
Keeping rats out of your home starts with proper prevention.A few simple steps can go a long way in protecting your home from infestations.
Preventing rat infestations begins with sealing entry points. Rats can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so it’s crucial to conduct a thorough inspection of your home for cracks and gaps, particularly around windows, doors, and foundations.
Pay close attention to areas where utility lines enter the building, as these can also serve as entry points. Using durable materials like steel wool, caulk, and hardware cloth to seal these openings can significantly reduce the chances of rats entering your home. Ensuring that doors close tightly and installing door sweeps can further enhance your home’s defenses against these pests.
To effectively deter rats, it’s essential to minimize their access to food and water. Store food in airtight containers made of glass or heavy plastic to prevent rats from chewing through packaging. Regularly clean up spills, crumbs, and pet food to eliminate potential food sources. Ensure that trash is secured in sealed bins with tight-fitting lids, and regularly dispose of waste to avoid attracting rodents.
In addition, fix any leaks and drips in pipes, faucets, and appliances to eliminate water sources that may entice these pests to linger around your property. By addressing these attractants, you can create an environment that is far less appealing to rats.
Maintaining a clean environment is vital in preventing rat infestations. Regularly dispose of waste and clutter, particularly in areas like garages, basements, and storage spaces where rats may find shelter.
Ensure that areas around the home, including yards and gardens, are tidy and free of debris, such as piles of leaves or wood, which can provide nesting sites. Implementing proper sanitation practices, such as sweeping and vacuuming regularly, can significantly reduce the likelihood of attracting rats to your property.
Consider composting organic waste in rodent-proof bins to prevent it from becoming an accessible food source for these pests.
Rat control is important to avoid contracting and spreading a number of serious diseases that rats are known to transmit. Rats can be very persistent and if they manage to gain access into your home or business, they can spread these diseases, cause considerable damage and contaminate food. Even rats in the yard and outside can present tremendous risk, particularly since those areas are frequently visited by children and pets.
At Ehrlich, we can help you avoid costly damage to your property and prevent the transfer of disease by providing effective rat control services. Our qualified local technicians are backed by global knowledge and innovation and use safe and reliable control methods which offer a long-term solution to your rat problem.
Call Ehrlich today at 800-837-5520 if you are worried about rats in your home or business.
For homeowners looking to take control of rat infestations themselves, several effective DIY strategies can be used. First, it’s essential to maintain cleanliness around your home, ensuring that food sources are removed and waste is disposed of properly. Setting up traps is a proactive measure; snap traps or live traps can help capture rats without the use of harmful chemicals.
Baiting traps with high-protein foods, like peanut butter or dried fruit, can increase their effectiveness.
Additionally, you could consider using natural repellents, such as peppermint oil, which rats tend to avoid. Another important step is to seal any potential entry points, including gaps around doors, windows, and pipes, to prevent rats from entering.
However, while these methods can be effective for minor infestations, it’s crucial to monitor the situation and seek professional help if the problem persists or worsens. Professional bait stations and rodent deterrents are the only way to effectively keep rats away.
Contact Ehlirch pest control for help keeping rats away today!
Professional assistance is incredibly essential when trying to get rid of rats. Ehrlich pest control provides expert rat control services tailored to meet your property's specific needs.
There are a number of factors that go into the costs of rat control, which is why an inspection prior to quoting will provide the most accurate cost. Our rat control specialists will take into account the following factors:
It is important to note that you should not disturb traps, bait stations, or other control devices we have put in place. Call Ehrlich today at 1-844-320-2091 or contact us online to discuss the best rat control solution for your home or business.
Rats can be a huge problem for businesses as they can cause inventory loss, property damage and health problems for employees. Rats can also affect brand reputation, customer reviews, employee morale, operational efficiency and ultimately revenue and profits.
Don’t waste time experimenting with your own version of rat control for your business – the risks and costs are too high. With Ehrlich, you will get the advantage of our proprietary digital pest control solutions that leverage the power of the internet to keep your business protected from rats at any time of the day or night. Contact us to learn more about our PestConnect portfolio, today.
For the past 90+ years, Ehrlich has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in controlling rats throughout the eastern United States. We carefully combine this knowledge with our understanding of seasonal pest trends and local pest pressures. Our highly-trained, local service specialists strive to provide you with the best possible rat control services tailored to your needs.
If you find yourself wondering, "Who can help me with my rat infestation?", locate the Ehrlich branch nearest you, here.