Rodents
Norway Rat
| Appearance |
|---|
 Brown, heavy-bodied, 6 to 8 inches long, with small eyes and ears and blunt nose. Tail is shorter than head and body. Its fur is shaggy. |
| Habitat |
| Norway rats live in fields, wooded areas, vacant lots, farms, and anywhere there are buildings. They nest in underground burrows, from which they enter buildings in search of food. They tend to remain in hiding during the day. Rats may find harborage in many areas around the home, especially in stacked firewood, stones, bricks, piles of leaves, and other debris. |
| Diet |
|
Norway rats are omnivorous but prefer meat. They require a regular supply of water.
|
| Control |
| The best way to avoid rodent invasions is to eliminate harborage and seal holes and cracks in the exterior where rats might enter. Remove piles of debris, stones, bricks, and other materials. Don’t let leaves accumulate near the foundation, as this provides attractive shelter for rodents. Seal any hole or crack larger than 1/4 of an inch and install weatherstripping on the bottom of all doors to prevent rodents from entering. |
