Norway rats reach maturity within two months of birth and breed year-round. Females may have as many as seven litters in a single year, with 4-8 offspring per litter. norway rat searching for food.

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Outdoors, Norway rats often build burrows hidden under grass, wood piles, debris, and concrete slabs. They are social rodents, so if you find one burrow on your property, there’s a good chance there are other burrows nearby.

Indoors, Norway rats establish nests in basements, on ground floors, and although they prefer lower levels, they may occasionally nest in attics and other high points.

As is the case with mice, Norway rats will eat just about anything they can find, however, they show a preference for meat, fish, dry dog food, and cereal.

Norway rats are considered a threat to health and wellbeing because they carry diseases, pathogens, and parasites. These rodents are linked to jaundice, rat-bite fever, salmonella, and other illnesses. They also bring fleas when they infest.

Norway rats also damage structures and belongings with their propensity to gnaw on anything they can get their constantly growing incisors on. This includes electrical wires, which cause structural fires.

Norway rats have adapted to living in urban and populated areas, and can often be found nesting inside homes and other structures that provide them access to water and food. A single opening on the exterior of the house could be all it takes for these destructive rodents to move indoors.

For effective rodent control services that get rid of Norway rats and other rodents from your home or business, contact a licensed pest control company. At Miller Pest & Termite, we’ve been eliminating Norway rats, roof rats, and mice for over 20 years. Property owners in the Midwest can rely on our local team to resolve their rodent problems!