Finding tiny droppings in your kitchen or hearing scratching sounds in your walls at night can send a chill down your spine.
These might be signs of Norway rats in your home. Also called brown rats or sewer rats, these rodents are more than just unwelcome guests; they pose real dangers to your family and home.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through why these rats are a serious concern and what you can do to protect your home.
What are Norway Rats?
Norway rats are stocky rodents with brown fur mixed with scattered black hairs and a lighter gray or yellowish-white belly. They grow to about 7-8 inches long, with tails adding another 6-8 inches.
Despite their name, they didn’t come from Norway; they’re found on nearly every continent except Antarctica.
They have small ears, blunt noses, and their tails are shorter than their bodies, which helps tell them apart from their cousins, the roof rats.
Why Norway Rats are Dangerous?
The biggest danger from Norway rats comes from the diseases they carry. The CDC has identified 35 different diseases that rodents like Norway rats can spread to humans.
These rats can make you sick through:
- Their droppings and urine, which can contaminate surfaces and become airborne dust
- Direct bites
- Fleas and ticks that live on rats and can jump to humans or pets
- Contamination of food and water
Some of the serious diseases linked to rats include Hantavirus, which affects your lungs, rat-bite fever, and even bubonic plague. You don’t even need to see a rat to get sick; just cleaning up droppings without proper protection can put you at risk.
Property Damage Caused by Norway Rats
Beyond health concerns, Norway rats can seriously damage your home. Their front teeth never stop growing, so they chew constantly to keep them worn down.
| Damage Caused by Rats | Description |
|---|---|
| Wooden Beams and Roof Trusses | Rats gnaw on wooden structures, weakening your home’s foundation and safety. |
| Electrical Wiring | Chewing through electrical wiring can create serious fire hazards. |
| Pipes and Water Lines | Rats can chew through pipes, causing leaks and significant water damage. |
| Insulation | Rats destroy insulation, reducing energy efficiency in your home. |
| Personal Belongings | Rats damage stored clothes, furniture, and other personal items. |
What Attracts Norway Rats to Your Home?
Rats don’t pick your house by accident. Food is the biggest attraction. Unsecured garbage, pet food left out overnight, bird seed, or even fruit fallen from trees make easy meals for rats.
Water sources are critical for rats’ survival. Leaky outdoor faucets, pet water bowls, or clogged gutters provide the water they need.
Shelter opportunities, such as overgrown yards, piles of junk, or gaps in your home’s exterior, let rats move in and hide from predators.
Your garden might be another drawing card. Rats love vegetable gardens, compost piles, and thick ground cover where they can forage and hide.
Prevention Tips
Keep rats away from your home by following these smart and simple prevention steps:
- Seal Potential Entry Points: Ensure all possible entry points around your home are sealed. Rats can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter, so it’s essential to inspect and close any gaps or cracks around windows and doors.
- Store Food Properly: Store all food, including pet food, in airtight containers to prevent rats from smelling it. Avoid leaving dishes out overnight, and clean up crumbs and spills immediately.
- Maintain a Tidy Yard: Keep your yard clean by removing piles of leaves, lumber, or debris, which provide shelter for rats. Regularly mow the lawn and clear any overgrown vegetation to eliminate hiding spots.
- Trim Tree Branches and Shrubs: Trim tree branches and shrubs at least 6 feet away from your roof. This prevents rats from using them as bridges to gain access to your attic or home.
- Secure Garbage: Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids to keep rats from scavenging. Also, regularly pick up fallen fruit, nuts, or seeds from your yard, which can attract rodents.
- Fix Leaky Faucets and Pipes: Leaky faucets and pipes provide a water source for rats, so it’s important to fix any plumbing issues promptly to eliminate this attraction.
- Regular Home Maintenance: Perform routine home maintenance, such as repairing roof damage, fixing loose vent covers, and sealing cracks. This helps to close off potential entry points and keeps your home rat-free.
Conclusion
Norway rats aren’t just a nuisance; they’re a serious threat to your family’s health and your home’s structure.
Their ability to spread diseases and cause extensive damage makes addressing a rat problem quickly extremely important.
By understanding what attracts rats, knowing the warning signs of an infestation, and taking preventive measures, you can protect your home from these dangerous pests.
Don’t wait until you see rats to take action. The scratching sounds, droppings, or gnaw marks are all warnings that deserve immediate attention.
