Overview of Norway Rats
Norway rat is basically a rodent which is also known as brown rat, Hanover rat, street rat, brown Norway rat or wharf rat. Its binomial name is Rattus Norvegicus and it is one of the largest muroids that is present on earth. These rats were firstly introduced by the settlers who came from Europe to North America. Norway rats are little bit bigger than roof rats and their weight is about 500gms. The fur of these rats is coarse and brown or reddish grey in colour.
Areas and habitat of Norway Rats
These rats were initially introduced in U.S but later on spread to nearly 50 states all over and found mostly in the areas of lower elevation where human beings live. The most common habitats of these rats are around houses, cellars, warehouses, stores, docks, sewers, granaries etc and also in the urban and suburban areas. These rats also make holes or burrows in the lower storeys of buildings; garbage dumps etc wherever they find suitable conditions for their living.
Important things to know about behaviour, general biology and reproduction in Norway rats
Norway rats are mostly nocturnal i.e. they become active at night time and come out of their burrows or holes in search of food & water. They have high sense of smell but poor eyesight. Because of their excellent smell power they detect food items very easily. Rats are considered colour blind also and this is why baits are dyed with distinctive colours so that rats cannot avoid their presence.
The burrows of Norway rats are lined with torn pieces of paper, cloth etc and reproduction in Norway rats occur from 21 to 23 days after the conception period. Mostly they give birth to 6 to 12 litters at one time. These rodents reproduce their young ones mostly in the season of spring and avoid breeding in extreme summer or winter season. The Norway rats have inborn capacity to climb, gnaw, jump and swim etc. Studies have conducted that rats can normally travel a distance of 150 to 300 feet every day in search of food and water.
Norway rats have great sense of memory therefore they can easily memorise their environment, paths, food & water, shelter and other obstacles in their area. They also have the ability to detect new object in their familiar location. Therefore they easily avoid traps and bait stations which are placed to trap them in their location.
Damages caused by Norway rats
These rats can damage foodstuffs and animal feeds by consuming them. They can damage the crops easily at the time of harvest or after harvest when crops are stored in warehouses. They can easily cause harm to packed materials and foodstuffs.
Norway rats also have ability to cause structural damage to buildings by making their living places or burrows in them. They may also harm electricity or water pipes and cause leakages in them along with contaminating the water. Some commonly occurring diseases by Norway Rats include food poisoning, leptospirosis, trichinosis, salmonellosis etc. Plague is also very common disease carried by these rodents.
Norway Rat-Signs around you
The presence of Norway rats can be determined by many different ways which include dropping of things and runaways, footprints or tail marks of rats can be tracked in dusty areas easily. Gnawing can also be seen in areas like corners of houses, stores etc where rats are present.
Controls or measures by government from protection of Norway rats
There is no any provision in law to provide protection from these rats however they can be easily controlled by pesticides which are registered under government or federal authorities. Some such measures include:-
However these effective ways result in controlling natural population of Norway rats by denying their growth in the areas of shelter or living. Rats can also live in the areas of high human population without creating any kind of problem or hazards if these methods are employed in a proper manner.
Roof rats Introduction
Roof rats are commonly known as ship rat, house rat and they are very common type of rodent that is found in our houses. These rats originated in tropical Asia and later on they spread to near east areas. These rats are generally omnivores and they can cause severe damage to crops and other eatables.
Description or Habitat of Roof Rats
Roof rats are mostly 5 to 7 inches long and weigh about 75 to 230 grams. They are usually black in colour but sometimes they also vary in colours such as dark brown and brown etc. They also have less fur on their body as compared to Norway rats. These rats were initially found in India and South East Asia. These rats are mostly found in warm regions. The population of these rats become drastic at certain times in India which is known as Mautam that can cause very devastating effects to plants and agriculture lands. After India and South East Asia they spread to Australia, New Zealand etc.
These rats have their habitat in warehouses, residential buildings, and other areas of human settlements. They are found in upper storeys of multi-storeyed buildings in the wall cavities and fall ceilings. These rats are also found in wild areas like cliffs, rocks, plants like pine and palm trees. Apart from this, roof rats are also found in water sources like ponds, river streams, reservoirs etc.
Major difference between Roof rats and Norway rats
Although both Norway rat and roof rat are very harmful and contagious different aspects but you must have detailed knowledge of their specifications like difference in their colour, habitat and other features. Some of these differences are spotted below:-
Colour Variations: There are three sub species of roof rats which are black rat with grey belly. The Alexandrine rat which is brown in colour and grey streaks and third one is fruit rat which has Agouti back and white coloured belly where as Norway rats have different names like brown rat, wharf rats, common rats, Hanover rats, Norwegian rats, hood rats etc. Norway rats are mostly brown or reddish grey with white grey belly.
Difference in Size and Physical features: The tail of roof arts are 7 to 10 inches long where as the length of tail of Norway rat is 6 to 8 inches long. The roof rats have large floppy ears and pointed muzzles which are not there in Norway rats. Norway rats have blunt muzzle heavy body and close set hair. The weight of roof rat is about 8 to 12 ounce and that of Norway rat is about 10 to 17 ounces.
Different Behaviour of Norway Rats and Roof rats: Roof rats are expert in climbing where as Norway rats are not that much expert. Roof rats easily climb over buildings, trees electric wires etc. Norway rats are good in swimming so they can easily dive into water seals in toilets, toilet bowls etc. Although they also have the ability to climb trees but most of them usually prefer to travel in flat areas only.
Difference in Range and Habitat of Norway and roof rats: Both Norway and roof rats were originated in North America in 1700 century but the roof rats as their name specify live in vine-covered fences, landscape areas, industrial locations, riverbanks etc. The habitat of Norway rats is burrowing hole along streams and rivers and in garbage dumps etc. Also, they reside in barns, granaries, livestock, and kennels.
Difference in Food Habits and Preferences: Roof rats and Norway rats both are Omnivorous but they have different food preferences. Like Norway rats prefer to have diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, corn flour, flower bulbs, beans, breads etc. The roof rat on the other hand prefers to have seeds, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, wheat, corn etc. Roof rat’s food habits are similar to those of tree squirrel and they also feed well on food of domestic animals such as swine, dairy animals and chickens. They require daily water as their daily diet is also rich in water content.
Now the question arises here is which rat type do you have at your home and which rat is causing more damage at your home. We have already suggested some ways of controlling this rodent in your houses, industries, work places etc. But if you are suffering from both of these types then here are some common ways to overcome the problem of rats of both types:-
Norway rat is basically a rodent which is also known as brown rat, Hanover rat, street rat, brown Norway rat or wharf rat. Its binomial name is Rattus Norvegicus and it is one of the largest muroids that is present on earth. These rats were firstly introduced by the settlers who came from Europe to North America. Norway rats are little bit bigger than roof rats and their weight is about 500gms. The fur of these rats is coarse and brown or reddish grey in colour.
Areas and habitat of Norway Rats
These rats were initially introduced in U.S but later on spread to nearly 50 states all over and found mostly in the areas of lower elevation where human beings live. The most common habitats of these rats are around houses, cellars, warehouses, stores, docks, sewers, granaries etc and also in the urban and suburban areas. These rats also make holes or burrows in the lower storeys of buildings; garbage dumps etc wherever they find suitable conditions for their living.
Important things to know about behaviour, general biology and reproduction in Norway rats
Norway rats are mostly nocturnal i.e. they become active at night time and come out of their burrows or holes in search of food & water. They have high sense of smell but poor eyesight. Because of their excellent smell power they detect food items very easily. Rats are considered colour blind also and this is why baits are dyed with distinctive colours so that rats cannot avoid their presence.
The burrows of Norway rats are lined with torn pieces of paper, cloth etc and reproduction in Norway rats occur from 21 to 23 days after the conception period. Mostly they give birth to 6 to 12 litters at one time. These rodents reproduce their young ones mostly in the season of spring and avoid breeding in extreme summer or winter season. The Norway rats have inborn capacity to climb, gnaw, jump and swim etc. Studies have conducted that rats can normally travel a distance of 150 to 300 feet every day in search of food and water.
Norway rats have great sense of memory therefore they can easily memorise their environment, paths, food & water, shelter and other obstacles in their area. They also have the ability to detect new object in their familiar location. Therefore they easily avoid traps and bait stations which are placed to trap them in their location.
Damages caused by Norway rats
These rats can damage foodstuffs and animal feeds by consuming them. They can damage the crops easily at the time of harvest or after harvest when crops are stored in warehouses. They can easily cause harm to packed materials and foodstuffs.
Norway rats also have ability to cause structural damage to buildings by making their living places or burrows in them. They may also harm electricity or water pipes and cause leakages in them along with contaminating the water. Some commonly occurring diseases by Norway Rats include food poisoning, leptospirosis, trichinosis, salmonellosis etc. Plague is also very common disease carried by these rodents.
Norway Rat-Signs around you
The presence of Norway rats can be determined by many different ways which include dropping of things and runaways, footprints or tail marks of rats can be tracked in dusty areas easily. Gnawing can also be seen in areas like corners of houses, stores etc where rats are present.
Controls or measures by government from protection of Norway rats
There is no any provision in law to provide protection from these rats however they can be easily controlled by pesticides which are registered under government or federal authorities. Some such measures include:-
- Physical barriers or rat proofing: The first and foremost way is rat proofing of structures where food and shelter are there. Covering all the holes with concrete, mortar, sheet of galvanised metal or hardware cloth are some easy ways of rat proofing.
- Proper sanitation facilities: Another method of preventing the food and shelter from Norway rats is getting aware of sanitation conditions all around you. Norway rats are mostly found in areas of poor sanitation. However in agriculture areas rat population cannot be totally controlled by this method but rats can be prevented from flourishing in large numbers.
- Proper storage: Next way to prevent occurrence of Norway rats is to protect all the food items in rodent proof containers. Pet food is also protected in similar way from the rats.
- Proper disposal of garbage: The garbage from houses, restaurants farms etc should be properly stored and then removed for disposal. The container for storage of garbage must be rust resistant and rat damage resistant. Galvanised steel trash containers are a good option for storage of garbage than plastic made containers.
- Proper sewerage cover: The sewerages serve as best habitat for Norway rats because they provide enough food or dirty water to rats for their survival. These sewers must be covered properly with cement of hard covering so that Norway rats cannot enter them easily.
- By Frightening: Another way of protecting or preventing entry of Norway rats is to frighten them by making unfamiliar sounds near their living places. Different tests have been conducted regarding frightening of rats by ultrasonic devices and these are successful to some extent in controlling Norway rats.
- Prevention by Rat Repellents: Another way of preventing Norway rats is by using chemical repellents like moth balls, household ammonia etc in sufficient amount. Ro-Pel is registered repellent by government which is used for prevention of Norway rats.
- Prevention by other methods: Other ways of preventing Norway rats include Asphyxiation which means by mixing Vinegar with baking soda will produce CO23 gas which will firstly anesthize and then kill the Norway rats. Cats are natural predators and are considered good way of protecting from rats at home or other places. Snap-trap rat trap is another way of killing these rats. Electrocution trap is new way of controlling rats which provide an alternative solution to rat kill without use of rat poison. The rats get trapped in a contaminant device and die with a lethal electric shock.
However these effective ways result in controlling natural population of Norway rats by denying their growth in the areas of shelter or living. Rats can also live in the areas of high human population without creating any kind of problem or hazards if these methods are employed in a proper manner.
Roof rats Introduction
Roof rats are commonly known as ship rat, house rat and they are very common type of rodent that is found in our houses. These rats originated in tropical Asia and later on they spread to near east areas. These rats are generally omnivores and they can cause severe damage to crops and other eatables.
Description or Habitat of Roof Rats
Roof rats are mostly 5 to 7 inches long and weigh about 75 to 230 grams. They are usually black in colour but sometimes they also vary in colours such as dark brown and brown etc. They also have less fur on their body as compared to Norway rats. These rats were initially found in India and South East Asia. These rats are mostly found in warm regions. The population of these rats become drastic at certain times in India which is known as Mautam that can cause very devastating effects to plants and agriculture lands. After India and South East Asia they spread to Australia, New Zealand etc.
These rats have their habitat in warehouses, residential buildings, and other areas of human settlements. They are found in upper storeys of multi-storeyed buildings in the wall cavities and fall ceilings. These rats are also found in wild areas like cliffs, rocks, plants like pine and palm trees. Apart from this, roof rats are also found in water sources like ponds, river streams, reservoirs etc.
- Behaviour, Diet and eating habits: The rats are nocturnal in nature and come out at night time in search of food. They often like to eat fruits so they are better known as fruit rat or citrus rat and these would like to eat every food item whichever is available to them. These rats are also known as food hoarders as they have the habit of storing excess food. They store food items like herbs, insects, leaves and other seasonal food etc.
- Feeding Behaviour of roof rats: Roof rats can travel a distance of 30 to 90 m in search of food but if food item which is found by them is too large to move then they carry it to a hiding place. Roof rats have tendency to find to new objects easily therefore they can easily sense the bait stations or any other object place on their way for trapping them. They can also change their way or modify routes if their feeding locations are disturbed in any way.
- Sense organs in Roof rats: Roof rats have great sense of touch and balance. They use their trails when travelling overhead utility lines. This sense can easily save them from predators which are less found in Norway rats. Roof rats are colouring blind but their great sense of touch can easily detect any coming harm and their whiskers near nose work as tactile sensors.
- Diseases transmitted by Black rat: Black rats are known to be the carrier of variety of pathogens such as Bubonic Plague, Weil’s disease, typhus and toxoplasmosis are most common. Rats are also known as transmitter of diseases with bacteria and viruses present in them. Sometimes these diseases are so hazardous that they cannot be cured. Some common diseases spread by rats are Bacillus piliformis, Streptobacillus, Moniliformis etc.
- Damages caused by Black rat: These rats can cause structural damages by making burrows in the foundations of buildings, roads and walkways. They can also damage plastic or lead pipes, electric wires, doors and windows by gnawing them. They can also contaminate the food items stored in kitchens, stores, warehouses etc.
- Signs of Roof rats: Some common signs of presence of roof rats are visual sightings on power lines, trees, bushes roofs of houses, rat droppings, noises in walls attics, gnawing sounds, unsettled pets and damage to plastic coverings etc.
- Reproduction in Roof rats: The reproduction in roof rat is different from that of Norway rats as they become sexually mature in two to five months after birth and produce four to six litters in one year. The life span of this rat is about one year and female rat have the capacity to breed all around the year.
- Ways to prevent roof rats: There are several ways by which roof rats can be prevented from coming to your houses gardens, yards agricultural land etc. Some of them are mentioned as follows:-
- Cover the garbage containers properly. If they are not covered or damaged from anywhere roof rats can easily enter them and survive there.
- Pick all the citrus fruits because they are most likely food item by roof rats. Do not let the spare fruits as the food of rats.
- Clean your yard properly by raking under trees and shrubs. Remove the extra wooden piles and brush piles from your yards otherwise they will become the habitat of roof rats.
- Keep your pet food or other food items stored in air tight containers. Do not fill the bird feeders and put only that much of amount which will be consumed by birds in one day otherwise it will be consumed by rats and you will unknowingly feed them.
- Set the snap traps in your living areas or other places which are home to rats. Xeriscaping your yard is another measure of protection from rats.
- Drain all water sources and clean them properly so that roof rats cannot survive on that water.
- Do not let extra food material or water outside for stray animals.
- Fill all the walls with heavy grade steel, metal scouring pads and other heavy material so that rats cannot enter the exterior walls.
- By spraying carbon monoxide which is highly poisonous gas can be used to kill rats easily by pulling it inside gophers.
- Gophers can be used to kill rats by two types of filling. By filling gas or by bait. There are also available varieties of devices which can be used to pump poison into gopher holes.
- By using cats as pets rats can be prevented from entering living areas and other places.
Major difference between Roof rats and Norway rats
Although both Norway rat and roof rat are very harmful and contagious different aspects but you must have detailed knowledge of their specifications like difference in their colour, habitat and other features. Some of these differences are spotted below:-
Colour Variations: There are three sub species of roof rats which are black rat with grey belly. The Alexandrine rat which is brown in colour and grey streaks and third one is fruit rat which has Agouti back and white coloured belly where as Norway rats have different names like brown rat, wharf rats, common rats, Hanover rats, Norwegian rats, hood rats etc. Norway rats are mostly brown or reddish grey with white grey belly.
Difference in Size and Physical features: The tail of roof arts are 7 to 10 inches long where as the length of tail of Norway rat is 6 to 8 inches long. The roof rats have large floppy ears and pointed muzzles which are not there in Norway rats. Norway rats have blunt muzzle heavy body and close set hair. The weight of roof rat is about 8 to 12 ounce and that of Norway rat is about 10 to 17 ounces.
Different Behaviour of Norway Rats and Roof rats: Roof rats are expert in climbing where as Norway rats are not that much expert. Roof rats easily climb over buildings, trees electric wires etc. Norway rats are good in swimming so they can easily dive into water seals in toilets, toilet bowls etc. Although they also have the ability to climb trees but most of them usually prefer to travel in flat areas only.
Difference in Range and Habitat of Norway and roof rats: Both Norway and roof rats were originated in North America in 1700 century but the roof rats as their name specify live in vine-covered fences, landscape areas, industrial locations, riverbanks etc. The habitat of Norway rats is burrowing hole along streams and rivers and in garbage dumps etc. Also, they reside in barns, granaries, livestock, and kennels.
Difference in Food Habits and Preferences: Roof rats and Norway rats both are Omnivorous but they have different food preferences. Like Norway rats prefer to have diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, corn flour, flower bulbs, beans, breads etc. The roof rat on the other hand prefers to have seeds, vegetables, fruits, ornamental plants, wheat, corn etc. Roof rat’s food habits are similar to those of tree squirrel and they also feed well on food of domestic animals such as swine, dairy animals and chickens. They require daily water as their daily diet is also rich in water content.
Now the question arises here is which rat type do you have at your home and which rat is causing more damage at your home. We have already suggested some ways of controlling this rodent in your houses, industries, work places etc. But if you are suffering from both of these types then here are some common ways to overcome the problem of rats of both types:-
- By using Tracking Powder: Tracking powder is commonly used for rodent control in houses. Tracking powder is a good option for controlling roof rats than Norway rats because it is easy to track rats in overhead areas than basements areas. Tracking powder can be placed easily behind walls, at the entry points and trail areas. Sometimes tracking powder can be used in clean food to entice the mouse.
- By using Fumigant: By using Fumigants in the burrows dug by Norway rats one can easily get rid of them. However, it can also be used for killing rats in warehouses and other similar places. If entire place is fumigated with methyl bromide all the rats present at the place will be killed.
- By trapping: Trapping is also a good and efficient way of getting rid from rodents like Norway rats and roof rats. It is best way for use in homes however there are chances of rat dying in case of poison baits. Rats can be trapped by raisins, prunes, peanut, butter, meat gumdrop etc as bait. The trap should be placed at the locations where they will intercept rats on their way like overhead pipes, beams, ledges, sills. Rats which are trapped should be destroyed properly and not released because they can cause disease transmission, damages of different kinds and cause ill effects on wildlife.
- By using predators: Predators like cats and owls are also used for catching roof rats because cats are known to be good hunters and sometimes in agricultural areas weasels, foxes etc. are also used to kill rats.