Rat Identification
“True rats” like roof rats and Norway rats are in the genus Rattus, although other rodent species are sometimes referred to as rats. These social pests typically live in groups, reproduce quickly, and have a strong sense of smell, taste, and hearing to make up for poor eyesight.
- Family: Rats belong to the family Rattus and the order Rodentia. They are mammals that are medium-sized and part of the superfamily Muroidea.
- Size: Rat sizes vary, depending on the species, and average 12 to 18 inches long, including the tail. They typically weigh 18 ounces or less.
- Color: Rats are usually brown to black in color, depending on the species, although they can also be white, gray, and variations of these shades.
- Legs: Rats have four legs, which are typically long with narrow hind feet. They also have long, distinctive tails.
Types of Rats
Signs of Rats
Rats seek out warm, dry shelters and ample food sources. Because they are nocturnal and active at night, seeing live rats is not always the first sign of an infestation.
Droppings
Rats can produce up to 40 droppings daily, each of which is dark in color and shaped like a pellet. Droppings can be up to 1/2 inch long and look shiny when fresh but grayish when older.
Signs of Gnawing
Gnawed paper, fabric, insulation, and plant materials can be used as insulation for rat nests. Rats also may chew on food packaging, walls, floors, and even electrical wires.
Noises at Night
As they skitter and scatter, rats often make distinct noises. You may hear scratching, rustling, and squeaking in walls and attics.
Unpleasant Odors
Rats can have a distinct scent. It may smell like ammonia or a strong mustiness.
Dark Tracks
As rats move along established walkways, typically along walls and near baseboards, they can leave dark, greasy-looking smears behind.
How Do I Get Rid Of Rats?
Rats can damage your home from their constant gnawing, contaminate food, and expose you and your family to dangerous diseases. Eliminating them can be challenging and often requires professional control services.
- Seal potential entryways, including around doors and windows, in basements and attics, and around utility lines.
- Remove sources of food and water by eliminating debris, sealing up food and garbage in rodent-proof containers and receptacles, and being cautious when feeding birds outdoors.
- Reduce potential shelters by carefully storing firewood, clearing overgrown shrubs and brush, and getting rid of English Ivy and other plants that could harbor these pests.
Rat Facts
Lifespan
Rats typically live for about one year in the wild. Domestic rats (those kept as pets) can live two years or longer.
Food Sources
Rats eat both meat and plants, often eating seeds and fruits in the wild. In urban and suburban scenarios, rats often scavenge and eat garbage, pet food, meat, and compost.
Reproduction
Rats are very efficient breeders, producing up to 12 litters annually. The average litter size contains eight to nine pups, with reproduction peaking 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 like clutter to hide in and build their nests. They will use any material they can find to build nests, including fabric, paper, and cardboard.
When Are Rats Active?
Rats are nocturnal and most active from just before sundown to about 30 minutes before sunrise. They can be active year-round but particularly so during late summer through fall as they prepare for winter.
More Information About Rats
Signs of Roof Rats
The Best Way to Get Rid of Rats in Your Home
What are the Signs of Rat Infestations?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rats bite?
Rats usually avoid people and potential predators, but they will bite if they feel threatened.
How do I get rid of rats in my walls?
Traps and bait are one option, but professional control is often necessary for complete elimination. Sealing entry points can prevent them from returning.
Do rats carry fleas?
Rats can carry fleas, mites, ticks, and mosquitoes into homes and properties, creating a risk of indirect exposure to germs and parasites.
What does a rat look like?
Rats typically have slender bodies with prominent ears and tails, large eyes, and pointed heads. They have tails that range in length from approximately as long as their bodies to substantially longer.
Do rat traps work?
Rat traps can help reduce the number of rats nesting in your property, but they are typically only one necessary step in total elimination.
What is the difference between a roof rat and a Norway rat?
Roof rats generally have darker, blackish fur and look for food and shelter above ground, often climbing branches and utility lines to enter attics. Norway rats, on the other hand, remain close to the ground and often burrow below and along foundations.
What diseases do rats carry?
These pests can transmit a variety of dangerous bacteria that can cause diseases like Lassa fever, rat-bite fever, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), and the bubonic plague.
