Diseases Spread By Brown Norway Rats to Humans; How to Get Rid of These Rodents in Deptford, NJ
The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), is also referred to as the Norway rat, common rat, street rat, Hanover rat, sewer rat and wharf rat. The brown rat is well known for its ability to adapt to ever changing environments along with its penchant for living in close proximity to humans and its fondness for inhabiting homes and businesses.
Identification & Behavior of the Norway Rat
The Norway rat is one of the largest rodents with a body that is 10 inches in length covered with shaggy fur that is brown or grey in color. The male can weigh as much as 12oz while the female weighs 9oz. The tail is hairless and covered with scales. Norway rats often build burrows and nest in places that are well protected and secluded. In addition to damaging human foodstuffs, the Norway rat will also cause damage to the items they chew and gnaw on. Rats and other rodents gnaw on objects such as wood to keep their incisor teeth sharp. The Norway rat will also chew electric wires which have resulted in fires responsible for millions of dollars in property damage each year. Rodents, including the Norway rat have the capacity to spread disease to humans and pets.
Norway Rat Activity, Diet & Habitat
The Norway rat will stay active throughout the year when already residing inside buildings. When living outdoors especially during the cooler months, the Norway rat will begin to look for shelter along with consistent food and water sources and this is typically when the rodent will attempt to move inside. The diet most popular for the Norway rat includes plants, nuts, seeds and vegetables but they are not particular and will eat any food they can find including meat and grains. Rodents need protected shelter that is secluded from humans but close to food and water sources. Some of the most common places for rodents to build nests inside homes include closet wall voids and attic insulation. The Norway rat typically gains entrance to homes and buildings through open windows and other openings or breaches around the exterior of the home often as small as ½ inch in diameter.
Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation
Evidence of a Norway rat infestation includes plant damage and droppings, rub marks from their oily fur touching surfaces such as baseboards, and damage to objects caused by gnawing, and damage to books and other objects used to construct nests. The Norway rat is nocturnal and very rarely seen during the day but if you do make visual contact it may indicate that the population is extremely large and in close proximity.
Diseases Spread by Norway Rats to Humans
Norway rats are vectors and known to spread many diseases including plague, jaundice and rat bite fever. They can also contaminate food and food preparation surfaces with trichinosis and salmonellosis. Norway rats can spread disease from bacteria they have introduced into your home from rotting garbage found in dumpsters and trash cans. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has connected the spread of many of these diseases with rodents including the Norway rat. For more information about rodent control in your Southern New Jersey area home, including control, prevention, exclusion and removal, contact the knowledgeable experts at Ross Environmental Solutions today.
