Norway Rats in McAlpin
Norway rats surpass their relatives, the roof or black rats, in both size and aggression. They are skilled burrowers and often make their nests underground or in buildings, such as basements or sewers. Norway rats are nocturnal and social animals, living in colonies with complex social structures. They exhibit peak activity levels shortly after sunset and before dawn. They are considered pests due to their ability to transmit diseases to humans and pets, making effective pest control measures essential in areas where they are present.
Norway Rat Habitat
Norway rats are predominantly ground-dwelling creatures, skilled in the art of burrowing, fashioning tunnels that measure between 2 to 3 inches in diameter and stretching up to 6.5 feet in length. These burrows are commonly sighted outdoors, positioned alongside foundations and within garden areas. Norway rats embark on nightly forays into human residences in pursuit of food, before retiring to their subterranean dwellings. Should nests be discovered within homes, they tend to be located in basements and crawl spaces. However, in the case of sizable populations, Norway rats may opt to establish nests in elevated sections of buildings.
Norway Rat Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Norway rats, in their quest for food and shelter, have the potential to wreak havoc on foundations, slabs, garden produce, and plants through their burrowing and gnawing activities. Incidents of igniting fires by gnawing on electrical wires have been extensively documented. While scavenging for sustenance, they consume and contaminate food intended for humans, pets, and livestock, thereby posing health risks. Diseases such as salmonella, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever are among the numerous illnesses transmitted by Norway rats.
If you have a Norway rat infestation in your McAlpin property, always contact a licensed rodent control company.
