Rats
 | Norway Rat Rattus norvegicusNorway Rats are moderate-sized and thickset, about 12"-18" long. The tail is paler in color below, giving it a bicolor appearance. Adult Norway rats weigh between 7-17 ounces or more. The fur is coarse, normally brown to reddish-gray on the back and grayish-white on the belly. The nose is blunt and the ears are short, hairy and closely set to the head. Norway rats are one of the most troublesome vertebrate pests. They are particularly damaging in agricultural situations, food handling and processing establishments, sewers and residential areas. Their proximity to the human environment makes them serious disease carriers to both man and domestic animals. When given the opportunity to choose from a wide range of foods, they tend to eat primarily to satisfy energy requirements. Preferred foods are meat, fruits, cereal grains and nuts. Garbage can offer a balanced diet besides satisfying their water requirements. |
 | Roof Rat Rattus rattus (Linnaeus)Roof rats not only damage or destroy materials by gnawing, eating and contaminating stored food, but are also of human health importance as a vector or carrier of disease organisms. The combined head and body length can be up to 8", tail length can be up to 10". They have rather poor vision and are color blind, but their senses of hearing, smell, touch and taste are keenly developed. They are good runners, excellent climbers and jumpers, and if forced, rather good swimmers. Historically, bubonic plague has been associated with the roof rat and its fleas, which move from infested rats to man. Fortunately, plague has not been found in rats in the United States for many years. Other transmitted disease organisms include murine typhus via fleas (also probably via droppings and urine), infectious jaundice/leptospirosis/Weil's Disease via urine in water or food, rat-bite fever via bites, trichinosis via undercooked pork, and food poisoning or Salmonellosis via droppings. Roof rats are primarily nocturnal in habit and they are very cautious. Although they constantly explore their surroundings, they shy away from new objects and changes. They prefer to nest in the upper parts of structures but may be found under buildings as well as occasionally in basements and sewers. Although they will eat practically anything, roof rats prefer fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Once established indoors, roof rats tend to follow the same route or pathway between their harborage and food and/or water sources. Runways along vertical surfaces will usually include dark rub or swing marks where their fur makes contact. Their runways will be free of debris, and outdoors, the grass will be worn away to the bare soil. |