Norway Rats

Norway Rats in North Carolina

Norway rats are stocky, heavy-bodied rats and are larger and more aggressive than their cousin the roof rat or black rat. Found throughout the United States, Norway rats are commensal rodents, living near and dependent on the human habitat for survival. Norway rats will eat almost anything but prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts, and some fruits. Like most rodents, Norway rats are most active an hour after sunset and just before dawn. The gnawing activity of Norway rats can cause considerable damage to homes, gardens, and structures. Norway rats are carriers of serious diseases, including jaundice, rat-bite fever, and salmonella.

Signs of a Norway Rat Infestation

Signs of a Norway Rat infestation include the presence of droppings, which are capsule-shaped and approximately 3/4 inch long. You may also notice gnaw marks on wood, plastic, and other materials. Norway Rats tend to leave greasy rub marks along walls and baseboards due to their oily fur. Burrows around building foundations, under rubbish piles, and in dense vegetation indicate their presence. Additionally, hearing scratching or scampering noises, particularly at night, can signify an infestation.

Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors

Where Do Norway Rats Live?

Norway rats prefer to live in close proximity to humans and are often found in urban and suburban areas. They create burrows in the ground, typically near building foundations, under debris, or in overgrown areas. Inside buildings, they are commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, and wall voids.

In general, Norway rats are ground burrowing animals and construct burrows that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and up to 6.5 feet in length. Burrows are constructed outdoors beside foundations and gardens. Norway rats are nocturnal and will enter homes at night in search of food, returning back to their burrow. If nests are found inside homes, they are typically in basements and crawl spaces. If a population is large, Norway rats will nest in upper areas of a home or structure.

Diet

Norway rats are omnivorous and will eat a wide variety of foods. They prefer cereals, grains, meats, fish, nuts, and fruits. In urban areas, they scavenge food from garbage and pet food left outdoors. Their opportunistic feeding habits make them highly adaptable to different environments.

Life Cycle

Female Norway rats can produce up to 7 litters per year, with each litter containing 6 to 12 young. The gestation period is about 21 to 23 days, and the young are weaned by three to four weeks old. Norway rats reach sexual maturity at about three months of age and can live up to one year in the wild, although they may live longer in controlled environments.

Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Norway rats can damage foundations, slabs, garden crops, and plants as they burrow and gnaw to find food and shelter. Inside homes, Norway rats may cause extensive damage when nesting in walls and attics. Accounts of rodents starting fires through the gnawing of electrical wires have been widely reported. Chewed, exposed wires inside walls can spark, causing interior walls to catch fire. When foraging for food, these rats consume and contaminate food meant for humans, pets, and livestock. Salmonella, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever are among the dozens of diseases spread by Norway rats.

If you suspect a Norway rat issue, contact your local rodent exterminators.

How to Get Rid of Norway Rats?

To get rid of Norway rats, start by eliminating their food sources and nesting sites. Secure garbage bins, remove pet food from outdoor areas, and keep food in sealed containers. Use traps and baits strategically, placing them along known rat pathways. For extensive infestations, it is advisable to consult a professional pest control service for effective and safe removal.

Norway Rat Prevention Tips

Keeping Norway rats away from your property involves maintaining a clean and secure environment. Regularly inspect and seal potential entry points, such as foundation cracks, vents, and around utility pipes. Keep your property clean and free of food debris, and store food in airtight containers. Eliminate clutter and debris around the property to reduce potential nesting sites. Regular maintenance and sanitation are key to keeping Norway rats at bay.

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FAQs

What is the Difference Between Norway Rats and Regular Rats?

Norway rats, also known as brown rats or sewer rats, are larger and more robust than other common rat species, such as the roof rat. They have shorter tails relative to their body length, smaller eyes and ears, and a more substantial build. In contrast, roof rats are smaller and more slender, with longer tails and larger eyes and ears.

What is the Norway Rat Known for?

The Norway rat is known for its adaptability and survival skills in various urban environments. It is notorious for its burrowing and gnawing habits, which can cause extensive structural damage. Additionally, it is a carrier of numerous diseases that can pose serious health risks to humans.

How Big Can a Norway Rat Get?

Norway rats can grow quite large, with adults typically measuring between 7 and 9.5 inches in body length, not including their tail, which can add another 6 to 8 inches. They can weigh from 12 to 16 ounces, making them one of the largest common rat species.

Mole

Moles in North Carolina

Moles are small insect-eating mammals and are widespread across the United States. Contrary to popular belief, moles are not part of the rodent family and are highly specialized digging machines. They spend most of their time underground and some are even semi-aquatic. Although their presence is well known by their recognizable mounds, they are rarely seen. Moles cause significant damage through their burrowing activity, which dislodges plants and dries out their roots. In lawns, the resulting mounds and ridges are unsightly and disfiguring.

Mole Habitat

Moles prefer wooded areas as their natural habitat, but they are also comfortable in residential yards and farm fields. Moles live almost entirely underground in a vast network of interconnecting tunnels. Active year-round, moles are particularly busy in spring and fall, frequently creating shallow tunnels just below the surface where they capture worms, insects, and other invertebrates. Moles are beneficial in that a typical 5-6 ounce mole can eat as much as 50 pounds of insect pests and grubs in a year! During rainy periods, molehills are abundant as earthworms move toward the surface.

Mole Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Since moles are seldom present above ground and rarely come into contact with people, they are not considered to be a physical threat to humans. Contrary to popular opinion, moles will not eat vegetation in residential and rural landscapes. However, their surface tunnels can disturb plant roots, which can cause distress. In lawns, molehills make walking and mowing difficult,  sometimes damaging the grass. Mole tunnels can be hijacked by meadow voles, small rodents who do eat plants. The first sign of a mole problem will be several molehills or ‘ridges’ caused by tunneling. If you are having an issue with moles,  it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

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Raccoon

Raccoons in North Carolina

Raccoons are stocky mammals and are distinctively marked with a black “mask” over their eyes. Found throughout most of the United States, and into northern South America. raccoons are nomadic, but only within a marked territory. They do not dig or make nests but prefer to mark locations, remembering them as available shelters. Raccoons are active year-round but may take cover in dens during periods of severe winter weather. For homeowners, raccoons are notorious “backyard bandits”, rummaging through garbage cans, popping kiddie pools, and generally causing mayhem.

Raccoon Habitat

Raccoons prefer wooded areas near water and natural habitats, sleeping in abandoned burrows, and the crooks of trees. In urban settings, raccoons will make their homes in empty crawl spaces, underneath porches, and within attics. Raccoons roam around rural or urban areas, finding food where they can and scouting new locations. They will eat almost anything, including insects, fruit, vegetables, and small animals, if necessary. Raccoons are nocturnal and notorious for raiding garbage cans during overnight hours. Raccoons are attracted to gardens or homes because they offer a food resource and potential den sites.

Raccoon Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While not all raccoons have rabies, raccoons, in general, are major hosts of rabies in the U.S., especially in the eastern part of the country where their populations are increasing. Pets should be properly vaccinated to mitigate this threat. Raccoons will kill poultry, destroy bird nests, and damage gardens or crops. They can destroy a home’s insulation, wood, shingles, electrical wiring, and walls as they try to create dens. Droppings, urine stains, or built-up materials from creating a nest are other signs of raccoon activity. If you are having an issue with raccoons, it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

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Skunk

Skunks in North Carolina

The average skunk is about the size of an adult house cat, and its’ fur is mostly black with white on top of the head and neck. Skunks are found throughout the United States and are known to produce an oily, yellow sulfur-alcohol compound that contains sulfuric acid. This pungent liquid is stored in two separate scent glands located on each side of the anus and can be squirted accurately at targets as far as 6 to 10 feet away as a self-defense mechanism. The secretion is acrid enough to cause nausea and can produce severe burning and temporary blindness if it strikes the eyes.

Skunk Habitat

Skunks construct dens in burrows and will often use abandoned burrows dug by ground squirrels, foxes, or coyotes, enlarging them if necessary. In urban settings, they den under decks, porches, or beneath buildings. If other suitable dens are unavailable, skunks will burrow and construct dens. Skunks do not hibernate; but in regions with colder weather, they may congregate in communal dens during the winter. Skunks are attracted to residential areas by the availability of food, water, and shelter.

Skunk Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Skunks are primarily nocturnal animals and their activity around buildings may go unnoticed until one takes up occupancy beneath a porch, deck, slab foundation, or has an encounter with another animal, such as a dog. A pet that exhibits an offensive smell, is an indicator that a skunk may be nearby. Skunks have been found infected with an array of diseases, including rabies. If your pet has an encounter with a skunk, it should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. If you are having an issue with skunks,  it is best to consult a professional wildlife control company for removal.

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