Norway Rats Pest Control in Toronto
Norway Rat IdentificationNorway rats are a type of rats that originated from Asia and are now found worldwide. They have many other names, such as brown rat, sewer rat, or wharf rat. They are husky, brownish, and have coarse fur. They are larger and more aggressive than roof rats or black rats. They eat almost anything, but prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts, and some fruits. They have poor vision and are colorblind. They live near and depend on human habitats for survival.
Why Do I Have Norway RatsNorway rats are attracted to places that offer them food, water, and shelter. They can enter your home or property through gaps or holes in walls, foundations, plumbing, attics, or sidings. They can also swim through sewers or drain pipes and even climb up toilets. They are especially active at night and will search for food in garbage cans, dumpsters, compost piles, bird feeders, pet food bowls, or stored food products. They will also eat fruits, vegetables, or grains from gardens or farms.
Some of the factors that may increase the risk of having Norway rats are:
Poor sanitation and hygiene. Leaving food waste, spills, or crumbs uncleaned can attract Norway rats. Not disposing of garbage properly or regularly can also provide them with food sources.
Clutter and debris. Having piles of wood, trash, or other materials can create hiding places and nesting sites for Norway rats. They can also use these materials to build their burrows or nests.
Vegetation and landscaping. Having overgrown grass, weeds, shrubs, or trees can provide cover and food for Norway rats. They can also use these plants to climb up to your roof or attic.
Cracks and openings. Having cracks or openings in your walls, foundations, windows, doors, or vents can allow Norway rats to enter your home or property. They can squeeze through gaps as small as 12 mm in diameter.
How Worried You Should Be About Norway RatsNorway rats are widespread and common rodents that live in diverse habitats near human settlements. They are nocturnal and omnivorous, and can eat anything from garbage to grains to other animals. They are active all year round and can adapt to different environments, such as sewers, subways, farmsteads, hedgerows, and salt marshes.
Some of the aspects of Norway rats habitat and behavior are:
Typically burrow underground, near another structure that can provide overhead shelter. They can also nest in basements, crawl spaces, attics, or ceiling areas. They prefer to stay at ground level or lower floors, but may occasionally nest in higher places if food or water is scarce.
They are social and live in colonies that consist of several males, females, and young. They have a dominant male that mates with multiple females and defends the territory. They communicate with each other through sounds, smells, and body language.
Territorial and will fight with other rats or predators that invade their space. They can also be aggressive towards humans or pets if they feel threatened or cornered. They can bite, scratch, or transmit diseases through their saliva, urine, or feces.
They are prolific breeders and can reproduce throughout the year. They reach sexual maturity at around two to three months of age and can have up to six litters per year, with each litter containing six to 12 offspring. They have a gestation period of 21 to 23 days and a lifespan of six to 12 months in the wild.
Norway rats can pose a serious threat to your health, safety, and property. They can cause damage and contamination to your food, crops, and structures. They can also carry and spread various diseases and parasites that can affect you, your family, or your pets. Therefore, you should be very worried about Norway rats and take immediate action to get rid of them.
Some of the reasons why you should be worried about Norway rats are:
Can transmit many diseases, such as leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rat-bite fever, plague, typhus, and trichinosis. These diseases can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, rash, and even death in some cases. You can get infected by coming into contact with their saliva, urine, feces, or blood, or by being bitten or scratched by them. You can also get infected by inhaling dust or aerosols that contain their droppings or urine, or by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated by them.
They can also carry and host various parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites, lice, and worms. These parasites can also transmit diseases, such as murine typhus, rickettsialpox, tularemia, and Lyme disease. You can get infested by these parasites by touching or being near Norway rats or their nests, or by being bitten by them. You can also get infested by these parasites if they move from Norway rats to your pets or other animals.
Can also cause structural damage, fire hazards, and electrical problems. They can gnaw through wood, plastic, metal, or concrete to access food or water sources, or to create entry points or nesting sites. They can also chew through electrical wires, pipes, insulation, or ducts, causing power outages, water leaks, or fire risks. They can also leave holes, stains, or odors on your walls, floors, ceilings, or furniture.
How to Prevent Norway Rats from InvadingThe best way to prevent Norway rats from invading your home or property is to make it less attractive and accessible to them. You can do this by following some simple steps, such as:
Seal any cracks or holes in your walls, foundations, windows, doors, or vents with caulk, foam, mesh, or steel wool. Norway rats can squeeze through gaps as small as 12 mm in diameter, so make sure to close any potential entry points.
Remove any food sources, such as garbage, compost, bird feeders, pet food, or stored food products. Keep your food in sealed containers and dispose of your garbage in tightly closed bins. Clean up any spills or crumbs immediately and keep your kitchen and dining areas clean and tidy.
Remove any water sources, such as leaky pipes, faucets, or hoses. Fix any plumbing or drainage issues and eliminate any standing water outside. Norway rats need water to survive and will look for moist areas to drink from.
Remove any shelter sources, such as piles of wood, trash, or debris. Keep your yard and garden clean and organized and remove any clutter or unused items. Trim any overgrown vegetation, such as grass, weeds, shrubs, or trees, and keep them away from your walls or roof. Norway rats like to hide and nest in dark and cozy places and will use any materials to build their burrows or nests.
Use traps, baits, or repellents to deter or eliminate Norway rats. You can use snap traps, glue traps, or live traps to catch and kill or relocate Norway rats. You can also use rodenticides, such as poison baits or blocks, to kill Norway rats, but be careful to follow the instructions and precautions and keep them away from children or pets. You can also use natural or chemical repellents, such as peppermint oil, ammonia, or mothballs, to repel Norway rats, but they may not be very effective or long-lasting.
The Difference Between a Norway Rat and a Roof RatNorway rats and roof rats are two different species of rats that can infest your home or property. They have some similarities, such as being nocturnal, omnivorous, and social, but they also have some differences, such as:
Appearance and size. Norway rats are bigger and stockier, while roof rats are slender and athletic. The Norway variety is also larger in general, though they have smaller ears and eyes. In addition, the tail of a Norway rat is shorter than its body. Roof rats have tails longer than their bodies.
Color and fur. Norway rats have brown or dark grey fur that lightens toward the underside. They have coarse and shaggy fur. Roof rats have black or brown fur with pale underbellies. They have smooth and sleek fur.
Nose and snout. Norway rats have a blunt nose and a slanted snout. Roof rats have a pointed nose and a straight snout.
Droppings and urine. Norway rats leave capsule-shaped droppings that are about 18 to 20 mm in length and have blunt ends. They also leave dark and greasy rub marks or stains on walls and floors from their oily fur. Roof rats leave spindle-shaped dropping
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