Norway rats—also called brown rats—are one of the most common types of rodent and easily identified due to their brown or reddish-gray fur and white bellies. They also have long, coarse fur and tails that can grow up to nine inches in length. Norway rats are omnivorous pests that can eat just about anything. Finding a Norway rat—or signs of one—in your Tennessee home or business is an emergency situation, as these pests are known spreaders of disease and can create property damage that can undermine the structural integrity and safety of your home.
How do I know I have Norway rats?
Common evidence of Norway rats includes chewed furniture, baseboards, droppings, and, of course, the rats themselves. Norway rats are typically nocturnal and will only come out at night to feed. Their poor eyesight means that their primary sense of interaction with the world—their sense of smell—leads them to food sources, including cereal grains, nuts, meats, and fish. Norway rats are known burrowers.
Why are Norway rats dangerous?
Norway rats pose two major dangers in your home or business: disease and destruction. Norway rats are known carriers of several different diseases and illnesses, including rat bite fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus, and toxoplasmosis. They can also be a carrier of other parasites, including fleas, ticks, and lice.
Rats, like most rodents, suffer from teeth that never stop growing. They are forced to file them down on hard surfaces—such as your furniture. They’ve also been known to chew on the insulation around wires, which in turn creates a massive fire risk in your home or business.
How do I get rid of Norway rats?
The best way to eliminate a rat issue is to prevent one from popping up in the first place. Through proper prevention practices—including physical exclusion and eliminating food sources—you can stop rats from entering your home. For existing rodent issues, however, traps and baiting work wonders. Just be sure not to try and do it on your own; improper baiting could lead to increased risks to you, your family, and your pets.
Contact U.S. Pest Protection Today for Norway Rat Removal and Prevention
If you’ve noticed signs of a Norway rat issue in or around your home, don’t hesitate to call in professional help. At U.S. Pest Protection, our dedicated rodent removal experts will inspect your home and determine the root causes of your rat problem. We’ll also explore all your options for reducing the rat population in your home through a combination of tools that make sense for your needs. To get started, contact U.S. Pest today and schedule your free inspection.
