Norway Rats | Pest ID & Control Guide
Quick Facts About Norway Rats
Norway rats, also known as brown rats, are one of the most common rodent pests found in Tennessee homes and businesses. These large, invasive rodents can cause significant property damage and pose serious health risks through disease transmission. Identifying and addressing a Norway rat infestation quickly is essential for protecting your property and family.- Size: 7-10 inches body length, plus 6-9 inch tail
- Color: Brown or reddish-gray fur with white or grayish underbelly
- Shape: Heavy-bodied with blunt snout and small ears
- Active Season: Year-round, more likely to seek shelter indoors during colder months
- Lifespan: 9-12 months in the wild, up to 3 years in protected environments
- Reproduction Rate: Extremely prolific, producing 4-7 litters per year with 8-12 young per litter
What Do Norway Rats Look Like?
Norway rats have distinctive physical characteristics that help with identification. They feature large, robust bodies covered in coarse brown or reddish-gray fur with lighter (white or grayish) underbellies. Their tails are thick, scaly, and shorter than their body length. Adults typically weigh between 7-18 ounces, making them significantly larger than mice. Norway rats have small ears and eyes relative to their head size, and a blunt, rounded snout.
Key Identifying Features
- Body Size: Large, heavy-bodied rodent (7-10 inches body length)
- Tail: Thick, scaly tail shorter than the body length
- Fur Texture: Coarse, shaggy fur
- Ear Size: Small ears that don’t reach the eyes when pulled forward
- Droppings: Capsule-shaped droppings approximately 3/4 inch long
- Behavior: Primarily ground-dwelling, excellent burrowers
- Tracks: Five-toed hind footprints, four-toed front footprints
Related Species
Norway rats differ from other common rodents in Tennessee:
- Roof Rats: More slender, with larger ears, longer tails, and darker coloration. Prefer elevated habitats like attics and upper floors.
- House Mice: Much smaller (3-4 inches), with proportionally larger ears and eyes, and longer, thinner tails relative to body size.
- Deer Mice: Smaller with distinctive white feet and underbelly, bicolored tail, and larger ears.
Health & Property Risks
Health Concerns
Norway rats pose significant health risks to Tennessee residents:
- Disease Transmission: Carriers of numerous diseases including rat bite fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, hantavirus, and toxoplasmosis
- Parasite Vectors: Often carry fleas, ticks, and lice that can spread additional diseases
- Contamination: Urine, droppings, and hair can contaminate food and surfaces
- Bite Risk: May bite when cornered or threatened, potentially causing serious infection
- Allergens: Fur, dander, and waste can trigger allergic reactions and asthma
Property Damage
Norway rats can cause extensive damage to properties:
- Structural Damage: Gnawing on wood, drywall, insulation, and PVC pipes
- Foundation Issues: Burrowing under foundations and concrete slabs
- Fire Hazards: Chewing on electrical wiring, creating fire risks
- Insulation Damage: Destroying insulation affects energy efficiency
- Water Damage: Gnawing on water pipes can lead to leaks and water damage
- Food Contamination: Rendering stored foods inedible through contamination
Where to Look for Norway Rats in Your Home
Norway rats have specific habitat preferences that differ from other rodent species:
- Basements and Crawl Spaces: Prefer lower levels of buildings
- Foundation Perimeters: Look for burrows around the foundation (2-4 inches in diameter)
- Under Concrete Slabs: May burrow beneath porches, patios, or garage floors
- Around Garbage Areas: Attracted to food waste and organic debris
- Near Water Sources: Often found near water heaters, pipes, and damp areas
- Dense Vegetation: Overgrown areas adjacent to structures
- Cluttered Storage Areas: Basements, garages, and ground-floor storage rooms
- Compost or Woodpiles: Outdoor areas providing shelter and food
When to Call Professional Help
Professional Norway rat control is necessary when:
- You’ve spotted rats in or around your home during daylight (suggesting a large population)
- You find numerous droppings in multiple areas of your property
- There are visible burrows around your foundation
- You hear scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or floors
- There are signs of gnawing on structures, furniture, or wiring
- DIY trapping methods have failed to resolve the infestation
- You’re concerned about disease transmission and proper sanitation
- You want comprehensive prevention to ensure rats don’t return
Schedule a Free Inspection
Finding a Norway rat—or signs of one—in your Tennessee home or business constitutes an emergency situation due to their disease-spreading potential and ability to cause significant property damage. At U.S. Pest Protection, our dedicated rodent removal experts will thoroughly inspect your property to determine the extent of the infestation and identify root causes of your rat problem.
We employ a comprehensive approach to Norway rat control, including exclusion techniques to seal entry points, sanitation recommendations to eliminate attractants, and professional trapping and baiting methods for safe, effective population control. Don’t attempt to handle Norway rat problems on your own—improper baiting could create risks for your family and pets.
