Rats’ unique intelligence and physical strength make them formidable pests. There are two main kinds of rats that we find here in GTA, the Norway rat and the roof rat. While the two varieties have similar appearances: both varieties of rats are brown to black in colour, have pointy faces, somewhat humped backs, and scaly, nearly hairless tails. They can both reach up to 40 cm in length. Both are also nocturnal, meaning that daytime sightings could indicate the presence of a large infestation that needs to be handled by a professional rat control company.
Rats are adept at maneuvering in and around obstacles. Rats can fit through a hole the size of a quarter, meaning there are very few properties that are prepared for their ability to get indoors. The Norway rat builds systems of tunnels and burrows at ground level to get inside. Roof rats are climbers and jumpers that tend to get indoors through chimneys, eaves, and more places.
Rodents breed at a very rapid rate. Rats reach sexual maturity at just 3 or 4 months, meaning that a population can soar over the course of a year. This is one of the main reasons why a rat infestation can be so dangerous. Rats typically live up for up to two years.
The Norway rat is relatively large. The average adult weighs about twelve ounces and measures 16” in total length from its nose to the end of its tail. The length of the tail is shorter than its body and it is typically grayish brown to black or reddish-brown. Adult roof rats are medium-sized rats measuring about 16” in total length from their nose to the tip of their tail. Their tails are longer than their bodies and slimmer than those of Norway rats.
Both varieties of rats can cause serious structural and electrical damage to the buildings that they inhabit. They can also damage roadways and entire fields of crops. They eat building materials, including batt and foam insulation, wood, and wiring, and they are also capable of causing fire hazards with their gnawing habits. While rare, rats have been known to bite in defense. Because they carry diseases, this can be especially dangerous.
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