Don't let the name fool you. Norway rats don't just live in Norway. In fact, they're not even from Norway. These rats were given the name when they started to migrate from Norway into England around the eighteenth century, but it is believed that they originally came from Asia by way of Russia. This is only one of many misunderstandings connected to these rats. The Norway rat, which is often called a fancy rat, can be a pet. They're actually quite nice to have as pets. A Norway rat has a comparable intelligence to a dog and can be trained. They rarely bite and can actually be quite clean pets.
Don't expect a wild Norway rat to behave like a domesticated rat. They will use their intelligence to outsmart your attempts to capture and remove them, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened or are cornered, and their excessive grooming does little to keep up with the fact that they climb around in sewers and dumpsters. It just serves to allow these rats to ingest tapeworms and other organisms during the grooming process.
Needless to say, it isn't good to have Norway rats getting into your Eugene home, but keeping them out is easier said than done. Despite their name, Norway rats are a common rodent species in Oregon and can be difficult to avoid, not to mention dangerous. Here are a few more things you should know about Norway rat control.
Food Sources
While a pet Norway rat will live off of your generosity and eat what you give it, a wild Norway rat will search for food in your home on its own. This brings it into your food storage areas. This can lead to contamination of your foods. It can also get into other sensitive locations, such as your dish cabinets, silverware drawers, etc. If a Norway rat has been exposed to bacteria, parasitic worms, and other microorganisms, it can transfer them when they brush against things with their fur, or when they drop hairs in these areas.
Marking Their Territory
A pet Norway rat will leave its urine on paper in its cage, which you'll be able to remove as needed. Wild Norway rats mark their territory with droplets of urine. This creates an odor. But their urine can also present a health risk if it is deposited on a cutting board, cooking surface, or some other sensitive location.
Droppings
Pet waste can be removed routinely since it is contained in the cage. Wild Norway rats leave droppings everywhere they explore. You can find them in the backs of cabinets, shelves, drawers, and more. Like urine, these droppings can be a source of sickness.
Introducing Fleas & Ticks
A pet rat doesn't roam around outside, where it can pick up ticks, fleas, mites, and other parasites. Wild Norway rats do. It is also important to point out that Norway rats prefer to live in ground burrows outside and are more likely to bring parasites into your home than other rats simply because they go in and out more often. The diseases that can be spread by ticks, fleas, and other parasites add to the dangers these rats pose.
Chewing
Rats have to chew in order to file down their teeth. If you have a pet rat, you'll provide your rat with things to chew. A pet rat will also be contained so that it doesn't chew on your home or the items inside your home. Wild rats are not contained and they are driven to chew. This can cause extensive property damage.
How To Get Rid Of Norway Rats
Norway rats may be clever and fun pets, but you should never allow wild rats to live in your home. At the first sign of rat activity, contact Infinity Pest Control to get started with home pest control services. Our Eugene pest control experts can help protect your home and family from rodent threats. We also offer crawlspace cleanout services in Eugene to help clean up the aftermath of an infestation. For immediate assistance, or to learn more about the residential and commercial pest control services we offer for rats and other rodents, reach out us today!