Even if you know a few things about rats, you probably don’t know everything you should to keep your home safe from them. Why not test your own knowledge, and find out what else you should know about rats? Learn all the important facts about Norway rats.
What Are Norway Rats?
Centuries ago, the Norway rat traveled from other countries to the U.S. Also known as the sewer rat, this rodent spread throughout the country. Today, it’s one of the rodents in Texas that plagues property owners. Despite being colorblind and having poor vision, Norway rats can find themselves into local homes and businesses. This is because these pests have excellent smell and hearing. Additionally, they can run, jump, and swim their way around.
Norway rats are typically brown, but have black hairs mixed into their coat. Underneath their bodies, these rats have lighter colors. They have small ears and eyes, but very long tails. In fact, their tails tend to be longer than their head and body combined.
Issues With Norway Rats
Out of the many pests in Texas, Norway rats are one of the largest. They’re also one of the most dangerous. Like other rodents, these rats can spread diseases. Once inside your home, they can spread serious illnesses to anyone in your home or business. Young children and the elderly are high risk populations. Rats also have the potential to trigger asthma or allergies. When they are around in large numbers, rats can cause serious discomfort for allergy sufferers. That sneezing and coughing may not be seasonal allergies.
Perhaps the biggest problem with Norway rats is their propensity to cause damage. These rodents like to chew, and they don’t discriminate. They might chew your wood, electrical wires, and other building materials. In addition to causing structural damage, rats can damage your wiring and cause a fire hazard.
Signs Of Norway Rats
Before you see a Norway rat, you’ll probably see signs of them. One telltale sign is rodent droppings. Another common sign of rats is grease stains on the wall. Finally, keep an eye out for bite marks on your walls or furniture. If you suspect a Norway rat infestation, you should call a pest control technician right away.
Keeping Norway Rats Out
There are some ways in which you can prevent Norway rats from taking over your home. Follow these tips to keep rats at bay:
- Maintain Your Yard: If you have piles of debris, junk, or messy vegetation in your yard, you’ll have rats. You need to do your best to remove debris piles and trim your bushes.
- Store Your Trash Carefully: If you throw your garbage in open bins, you could experience a rat problem. They’re attracted to your crumbs and leftover food. To keep Norway rats away, you should store your trash in sealed bins.
- Store Food Carefully: The sharp teeth of rats can easily chew through cardboard boxes and thin plastic bags. If you don’t want to share a meal with rodents, you should store your food in sealed containers. Choose containers made with glass or thick plastic.
- Eliminate Entrances: Is your property a secure fortress? The chances are that your property is easily accessible to Norway rats. If you want to deter rats, check your home for potential entrances. Look for crevices, small holes, and gaps. As you search for potential entrances, remember that rats can chew small openings into larger ones.
- Hire A Pest Control Company: For the best way to handle a rat infestation, contact us at Innovative Pest Control. Call us now to learn more.
Categories:
- Norway Rats,
- Norway Rat Prevention,
- Rats in Texas
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