How to Get Rid of Norway Rats

Norway rats are among the most common pests in North America,  with an infestation that can be dangerous to everyone at home. These rodents contaminate food, damage properties, and spread dangerous diseases like hantavirus, salmonellosis, and the plague.

Getting rid of Norway rats is essential to keep your house and the people in it safe from all these dangers. To know more about these critters and for tips on stopping a Norway rat infestation, read on.

What are Norway Rats?

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) are notorious for endangering the homes and other structures they infest. They’re considered pests for contaminating food, leaving disease-carrying droppings everywhere, and gnawing through valuables on any property. They’re also called brown rats, sewer rats, or common rats.

Appearance

These large rodents are furry and have bulky, elongated bodies with a gray to brown color. Their eyes are small and round, and their ears perked up like a hamster’s. Another notable thing about them is that their tails are shorter than the length of their whole body. This is what differentiates them from roof rats, whose tails are longer. 

Habitat

Norway rats used to live in forests before moving into open fields and eventually cohabiting with humans. Today, most brown rat species live beneath structures, in unused areas like basements, crawlspaces, attics, and sewers. Because of their agile bodies, they can gain access to these areas undetected. They can even go through a quarter-sized hole without much effort.

These rats are social creatures, so if you see one or a few of them, it’s likely that there may be more than one nest in your yard.

Behavior

Norway rats are nocturnal pests so you rarely see them around during the day. They travel from their burrows or nests to search for food and water. Because most Norway rats are domesticated, they’re generally afraid of humans, but they can give a nasty bite when cornered. They tend to leave droppings near food, which may spread diseases to both people and pets if left ignored.

Diet

Unfortunately, these rats prefer to feed on whatever they can find. They’re omnivores, so they eat grains, fruits, and meat. Sometimes they also feed on dead animals, like small fish and other rodents. 

Reproduction and Nesting Habits

Norway rats reach sexual maturity at three to five months of age. They breed faster than roof rats, producing up to seven litters per year, and each litter contains between eight to 12 pups.

Norway rats make nests in underground burrows from soil, piles of debris, or clutter outdoors. Their shelters usually have at least one entrance hole and one emergency exit. Indoors, you can find Norway rats nesting in lower and undisturbed spots in buildings and houses. There are cases, however, when these pests nest in attics, roofs, and other high places.

Difference Between Norway Rats and Roof Rats

Roof rats mainly differ in size to Norway rats. They’re smaller with long, large ears and scaly, hairless tails which appear longer than their body. A roof rat also has darker fur than a Norway rat.

Roof rats are arboreal or tree-living creatures, and they’re more agile than Norway rats. They climb trees, vines, and wires to look for food. Most of the time, they use utility lines and branches to climb on roofs and access different establishments. Oh, and they can swim too, while Norway rats can’t. 

Norway rats, however, are more aggressive than roof rats.

How to Detect a Norway Rat Infestation

Gnaw marks are one of the easiest signs of a Norway rat infestation in your house, and they’re hard to miss. New marks are round and rough, while older holes are smooth and are typically oily. Norway rats leave capsule-shaped droppings with blunt ends. They also leave footprints and grease rub marks from oily fur.

Food sources from household garbage can attract these pests. They’re also attracted to big piles of clutter inside and outside the house, where they can hide. Norway rats prefer places with a lot of vegetation to make it easier to nest.

Finally, because you won’t find Norway rats in the daylight hours, you might hear strange noises in the walls at night. This is because Norway rats are going about their business and foraging for food and building shelter.

How to Prevent a Norway Rat Infestation

With a fast-breeding cycle and bodies that fit even in the smallest hole, Norway rats can infest your home immediately. Take action by doing these preventive measures: 

Keep All Food Containers Sealed

If you think a Norway rat has made its way into your home, it’s important to properly seal your food in containers. Storing your food blocks the odor and prevents it from attracting rats. Although these indoor rats can gnaw their way through plastic containers, if they don’t know what’s inside, they won’t make an effort to chew through.

Cover All Garbage Cans

Improper waste disposal attracts pests like brown rats. Make sure you cover your garbage cans with a secure lid and empty it whenever the collector comes. Doing this prevents not just a Norway rat infestation but also the infestation of other pests.

Seal All Possible Entryways

Remember that these are nocturnal pests, so make sure you close all possible entryways during the daylight hours. Start by looking for possible entrances in basement doors, window frames, plumbing, and vents. If you find even a dime-sized hole, one of the best ways to seal it is with caulk or foam and reinforce it with a wire mesh or steel wool.

Reduce Any External Food Sources

If you have bird feeders, clean up bird seeds on their base and the floor. Pet food should be out of reach and tightly sealed in your garage. And get rid of pet feces or dead rodents in your yard.

Keep Your Surroundings Clean

One solution you can use to get rid of Norway rats outside is to remove all clutter in your yard. Find a pile of debris or objects outside? Eliminate it. The same goes for inside your house – reduce clutter so you reduce the spots where these rats can hide and breed.

How to Get Rid of a Norway Rat Problem

If you have a Norway rat infestation, setting up traps with baits is the first thing that will come to mind. If you don’t want to trap them and you’re looking for another option for getting rid of a Norway rat problem, these are some of the best extermination methods you can try: 

Use Ultrasonic Repellents

Ultrasonic pest repellers are electronic devices that, when plugged-in, emit short wavelengths of high-frequency soundwaves that are irritating to pests. This type of pest control method is safe for all humans and pets in the house but effective on pests like a Norway rat.

Use a Repellent Spray

Repellent sprays are another humane way for getting rid of a Norway rat colony. These sprays work by irritating rats and driving them away. There are many options you can go for too, from commercial products to homemade sprays.

Use Rat Poison

Rat poisons are one of the most effective ways of extermination, however, you have to be extra careful when placing such products in your home. Rodenticides contain chemicals that are also extremely harmful to humans and other animals. Use these items as directed and always keep them out of reach of children and pets.

Use Habitat Modification Methods

Norway rats are attracted to excessive clutter and improper handling of food. These poor sanitation practices are why there’s a growing number of rats in residential areas. Constantly decluttering your stuff and storing food items in tight-sealed containers will help reduce rats and their habitats in your home. This is an effective method without using any poison or other repellent products.