Rat

rat pest controlThe fur of a rat is coarse, shaggy, and brown with some black hairs. The head and body are seven to ten inches long, and the tail is an additional six to eight inches. The muzzle is blunt, eyes nd ears are small, and the tail, which is bi-coloured, is shorter than the head and body combined.

The rat is prevalent in Vancouver, BC and throughout North America. The rat is covered in course hair; they have small eyes and small ears and a blunt snout. They build elaborate tunnel systems and burrows at ground level, preferring damp areas such as building perimeters or crawlspaces. Norway rats live out doors and tend to migrate indoors when the weather turns cold.

Family
Rodentia/Muridae

Scientific Name
Rattus Norvegicus

Biology
Adults are sexually mature within two to five months. Females produce three to six litters per year, each averaging seven to eight young. Adults live from six to twelve months. They have poor site, but keen senses of smell, taste, hearing, and touch.

Behaviour
Rats are nocturnal. Tats prefer to nest in burrows in the soil (i.e. under sidewalks and concrete pads, streams/riverbanks, railroad truck beds, next to buildings, in low ground cover, etc). The burrows typically have one main entry hole and at least one escape hole.

They prefer to eat foods such as meat, fish, and cereals and require a separate non-food water source. Their foraging range is 100 to 150 feet from their nest. Rats also cause significant structural and product damage.

Control & Prevention
The keys to a successful program of rodent control are identification, sanitation, elimination of harbourage, and rodent-proofing. Several anticoagulant rodenticides are available in various forms. When baiting outdoors, these products should be placed in tamper resistant bait stations.

Baits can also be placed deep into burrows, but the burrows should be collapsed thereafter.

How to prevent

  • All food, water, and garbage should be stored in containers with tight-fitting lids
  • Bird feeders should be removed at the first sign of rats
  • Seal any holes around doors, windows and roofs
  • Prune or trim all trees so that they don’t overhang or touch your building
  • Removal of all rubbish around the house that might provide harborage to rats

Need help with Rat prevention?
Call Nikol Pest Control at 604-364-3201 for a free estimate.