Rat Identification
The rats most commonly found throughout the region — Norway rats and roof rats —belong to the category known as “true rats.” Other rodent species, including the Allegheny woodrat (which is closer to a mouse than a rat) are sometimes mistakenly referred to as rats. True rats are social and have sharp hearing, taste, and smell but poor eyesight.
- Family: Rats are mammals that belong to the order Rodentia and the family Rattus. They are also part of the superfamily Muroidea.
- Size: Rats are medium-sized mammals that vary in size. They reach average lengths, including their tails, of 12 to 18 inches long and weigh up to 18 ounces.
- Color: Rats come in various colors. They typically have brown and black fur, but depending on the species, they could be white, gray, or variations of these hues.
- Legs: Rats have four long legs and narrow hind feet in addition to long, hairless tails.
Types of Rats
Norway Rats
Roof Rat
Signs of Rats
Rats are mostly active at night, which means that many people never see them while they are out of their nests. The most common signs of rats’ presence include the following:
Droppings
Droppings are among the most common signs you might notice, because these critters can leave as many as 40 droppings behind every day. Rat droppings are pellet-shaped, dark in color, and about 1/2 inch long.
Signs of Gnawing
Rats are known for their constant gnawing. They will chew on everything from food packaging, paper, and plant materials to insulation, walls, and electrical wires.
Noises at Night
If you hear squeaking, scratching, and skittering in walls or attics, you may very well have a rat problem.
Unpleasant Odors
Rats give off a strong scent. Many people describe it as musty or ammonia-like.
Dark Tracks
Are you noticing dark, greasy smears along your walls and baseboards? They could be the result of rats walking along established tracks to get from their nests to food and water sources.
How Do I Get Rid of Rats?
Rats can be incredibly destructive and potentially expose inhabitants to dangerous diseases. Because they are skilled at hiding and reproduce rapidly, getting rid of them entirely typically requires professional rodent control services.
- Block their entry. Sealing off any gaps, cracks, and openings, including those in the foundation, around doors and windows, and around utility lines, can make a significant difference.
- Make the property less appealing by removing sources of food and water. Seal food in rodent-proof containers (glass, metal, rigid plastic) and use tightly lidded garbage receptables. Also, be mindful when feeding birds outside.
- Eliminate potential hiding spots and shelter by eliminating clutter, clearing overgrown landscaping, and storing firewood away from the structure.
Rat Facts
Lifespan
In the wild, rats live for a year or so. When kept as pets, they can live up to two years or more. The longest living pet rat lived to be seven years old.
Food Sources
Rats are omnivores that eat plants and meat. In the wild, they often eat fruit and seeds. In populated areas, they have been known to scavenge, eating garbage, meat, pet food, and compost.
Reproduction
Rats can have up to 12 litters per year, each with an average of eight to nine pups. These efficient breeders typically reproduce in autumn and spring.
Risk of Disease
Like other rodents, rats can transmit dangerous pathogens. Contact with their feces, urine, and saliva may transmit any number of illnesses, including Hantavirus, rat-bite fever, monkeypox, hemorrhagic fever, and Tularemia.
Where are Rats Found?
Rats are opportunistic in where they build their nests. They prefer areas with ample shelter, like debris piles and clutter, that allow them to hide. Additionally, they will use any material, including insulation, paper, and fabric, to create their nests.
When are Rats Active?
Rats are active at night. These nocturnal critters tend to be more active from just before the sun sets to just before the sun rises. Rats are active all year long, but activity typically peaks from late summer through fall.
More Information About Rats
How to Get Rid of Rats in Ceilings and Walls
Understanding the Difference Between Mice and Rats
How to Get Rid of Rodents in Your Restaurant
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rats bite?
Yes. Although rats typically try to avoid potential predators, including people, they may bite if they feel cornered or threatened.
How do I get rid of rats in my walls?
The most effective way to completely eliminate rats is with professional rodent control. Experts can get to the root of the issue. Whereas traps and baits are one option, it rarely provides lasting results without additional measures. For example, sealing entry points helps prevent future infestations.
Do rats carry fleas?
Yes, rats can not only transmit fleas, but also mites, ticks, mosquitoes, and parasites.
What does a rat look like?
Rats have characteristically long, hairless tails that can be as long as their bodies or longer. They have slim bodies, large eyes, and prominent ears on their pointed-looking heads.
Do rat traps work?
Rat traps are a partial measure. While they can help reduce the rat population, they rarely provide total elimination.
What is the difference between a roof rat and a Norway rat?
One of the chief differences is their habitats. Roof rats tend to have blackish fur and stay above ground, looking for shelter by climbing branches and utility lines to enter attics. Norway rats typically seek shelter at ground level, even burrowing below and along the foundations of homes and other buildings.
What diseases do rats carry?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues warnings for dozens of diseases spread directly or indirectly by rats. Diseases include leptospirosis, Lassa fever, rat-bite fever, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), and the bubonic plague.