McKinney's Exclusive Guide To The Norway Rat

11/15/2019

Fun fact: Did you know the Norway rat did not originate in Norway? They likely originated from the plains of Asia. Today, Norway rats are common around the world, found pretty much anywhere people are found. In fact, they are the most common type of rat here in America and one of the most likely rodents that will try to invade your home. Today we will help you stop them from doing this by discussing the nature of Norway rats and giving you some simple prevention steps to keep them out.

What Are Norway Rats?

Norway rats are 7-9 ½ inch-long rodents with brown bodies, scattered with black hairs. Although known for boarding ships and crossing the ocean, these large rodents prefer to be on land where they can burrow into soil and scavenge food from homes. Typically these rodents use clutter in a yard to hide in and dig holes. They also cause damage in a home’s foundation to squeeze their way inside.

The Dangers Of Norway Rats

Some Norway rats are kept as pets, others are used in laboratory experiments, but the majority of them exist in the wild. As you can guess, there is a huge difference between a pet rat and a pest rat. If cleanliness is next to godliness, then Norway rats are the furthest thing from godly. Known for frequenting sewers and garbage, Norway rats are often covered in filth, filth which is brought with them into the homes they invade. This leads to the spread of bacteria wherever they go. In addition to this, Norway rats can be vectors for a range of dangerous diseases including Salmonella and rat-bite fever. Rodents also host fleas, ticks, and mites. Once inside, these fleas, ticks, and mites can transfer onto your pets, bringing their own set of problems with them.

Norway rats are destructive. Because of their ever-growing sharp front teeth, Norway rats have a habit of chewing on things they shouldn’t. If a bunch of wires or a utility pipe gets in their way while they are traversing the walls of your home, they won’t hesitate to chew their way through. This can lead to electrical damage, fires, and/or water damage from broken utility pipes.

Prevention Tips For Norway Rats

Keeping Norway rats out of your home can be done in two ways: by limiting their ability to gain access to food and water, and by sealing off your home so they can’t get inside. Here are some practical ways you can do these things:

Find holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s foundation. Fill them with steel wool and seal them over with a caulking gun.
Repair more extensive damage to the exterior of your home.
Make sure all of your outdoor trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
Store leftover food inside airtight plastic containers.
Clean clutter from your yard.
Pick up your pets' food and water bowls when they are done with them.

The Safest Way To Get Rodents Out

As we have established, interacting with rodents isn’t safe. If Norway rats have gotten into your McKinney home, your best option is to call in the professionals here at Around The Block Pest Control. We have the tools, equipment, and training to handle these furry invaders. There is no need for you to risk your safety, give us a call today and let Around The Block solve your problem with our professional rodent control service.

Tags: mckinney rats | norway rats | rat control

McKinney's Exclusive Guide To The Norway Rat

11/15/2019

Fun fact: Did you know the Norway rat did not originate in Norway? They likely originated from the plains of Asia. Today, Norway rats are common around the world, found pretty much anywhere people are found. In fact, they are the most common type of rat here in America and one of the most likely rodents that will try to invade your home. Today we will help you stop them from doing this by discussing the nature of Norway rats and giving you some simple prevention steps to keep them out.

What Are Norway Rats?

Norway rats are 7-9 ½ inch-long rodents with brown bodies, scattered with black hairs. Although known for boarding ships and crossing the ocean, these large rodents prefer to be on land where they can burrow into soil and scavenge food from homes. Typically these rodents use clutter in a yard to hide in and dig holes. They also cause damage in a home’s foundation to squeeze their way inside.

The Dangers Of Norway Rats

Some Norway rats are kept as pets, others are used in laboratory experiments, but the majority of them exist in the wild. As you can guess, there is a huge difference between a pet rat and a pest rat. If cleanliness is next to godliness, then Norway rats are the furthest thing from godly. Known for frequenting sewers and garbage, Norway rats are often covered in filth, filth which is brought with them into the homes they invade. This leads to the spread of bacteria wherever they go. In addition to this, Norway rats can be vectors for a range of dangerous diseases including Salmonella and rat-bite fever. Rodents also host fleas, ticks, and mites. Once inside, these fleas, ticks, and mites can transfer onto your pets, bringing their own set of problems with them.

Norway rats are destructive. Because of their ever-growing sharp front teeth, Norway rats have a habit of chewing on things they shouldn’t. If a bunch of wires or a utility pipe gets in their way while they are traversing the walls of your home, they won’t hesitate to chew their way through. This can lead to electrical damage, fires, and/or water damage from broken utility pipes.

Prevention Tips For Norway Rats

Keeping Norway rats out of your home can be done in two ways: by limiting their ability to gain access to food and water, and by sealing off your home so they can’t get inside. Here are some practical ways you can do these things:

Find holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s foundation. Fill them with steel wool and seal them over with a caulking gun.
Repair more extensive damage to the exterior of your home.
Make sure all of your outdoor trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
Store leftover food inside airtight plastic containers.
Clean clutter from your yard.
Pick up your pets' food and water bowls when they are done with them.

The Safest Way To Get Rodents Out

As we have established, interacting with rodents isn’t safe. If Norway rats have gotten into your McKinney home, your best option is to call in the professionals here at Around The Block Pest Control. We have the tools, equipment, and training to handle these furry invaders. There is no need for you to risk your safety, give us a call today and let Around The Block solve your problem with our professional rodent control service.

Tags: mckinney rats | norway rats | rat control

McKinney's Exclusive Guide To The Norway Rat

11/15/2019

Fun fact: Did you know the Norway rat did not originate in Norway? They likely originated from the plains of Asia. Today, Norway rats are common around the world, found pretty much anywhere people are found. In fact, they are the most common type of rat here in America and one of the most likely rodents that will try to invade your home. Today we will help you stop them from doing this by discussing the nature of Norway rats and giving you some simple prevention steps to keep them out.

What Are Norway Rats?

Norway rats are 7-9 ½ inch-long rodents with brown bodies, scattered with black hairs. Although known for boarding ships and crossing the ocean, these large rodents prefer to be on land where they can burrow into soil and scavenge food from homes. Typically these rodents use clutter in a yard to hide in and dig holes. They also cause damage in a home’s foundation to squeeze their way inside.

The Dangers Of Norway Rats

Some Norway rats are kept as pets, others are used in laboratory experiments, but the majority of them exist in the wild. As you can guess, there is a huge difference between a pet rat and a pest rat. If cleanliness is next to godliness, then Norway rats are the furthest thing from godly. Known for frequenting sewers and garbage, Norway rats are often covered in filth, filth which is brought with them into the homes they invade. This leads to the spread of bacteria wherever they go. In addition to this, Norway rats can be vectors for a range of dangerous diseases including Salmonella and rat-bite fever. Rodents also host fleas, ticks, and mites. Once inside, these fleas, ticks, and mites can transfer onto your pets, bringing their own set of problems with them.

Norway rats are destructive. Because of their ever-growing sharp front teeth, Norway rats have a habit of chewing on things they shouldn’t. If a bunch of wires or a utility pipe gets in their way while they are traversing the walls of your home, they won’t hesitate to chew their way through. This can lead to electrical damage, fires, and/or water damage from broken utility pipes.

Prevention Tips For Norway Rats

Keeping Norway rats out of your home can be done in two ways: by limiting their ability to gain access to food and water, and by sealing off your home so they can’t get inside. Here are some practical ways you can do these things:

Find holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s foundation. Fill them with steel wool and seal them over with a caulking gun.
Repair more extensive damage to the exterior of your home.
Make sure all of your outdoor trashcans have tight-fitting lids.
Store leftover food inside airtight plastic containers.
Clean clutter from your yard.
Pick up your pets' food and water bowls when they are done with them.

The Safest Way To Get Rodents Out

As we have established, interacting with rodents isn’t safe. If Norway rats have gotten into your McKinney home, your best option is to call in the professionals here at Around The Block Pest Control. We have the tools, equipment, and training to handle these furry invaders. There is no need for you to risk your safety, give us a call today and let Around The Block solve your problem with our professional rodent control service.

Tags: mckinney rats | norway rats | rat control