The Norway rat is the largest of the commensal rodents and is all too common in the Kansas City area. It damages or destroys materials by gnawing, eats and contaminates stored food, and is also of severe human health importance as a vector of several diseases common to man. It is of worldwide distribution and found throughout the United States.
Adults are heavy bodied, weighing ½ to over 1 pound, with a combined head and body length of 7-9½ inches, and a tail of 6-8 inches. Its fur is coarse, shaggy and brown, with scattered black hairs, along with the underside being grey to yellowish white. With a blunt muzzle, small eyes and small ears (which do not reach eyes) it is densely covered with short hairs. The tail is scaly, bicolored (darker above) and shorter than head and body combined.
Norway rats reach sexual maturity in 2-5 months. The average number of litters is 3-6 per year, with each containing an average of 7-8 young, but averaging about 20 weaned/female/year. In the wild, adults live an average of 6-12 months, but much longer in captivity. They have rather poor vision and are color blind, but their senses of hearing, smell, touch and taste are keenly developed. Touch is via their vibrissae or long whiskers.
They are good runners, climbers, jumpers and swimmers. A Norway rat requires ¾-1 oz of food and ½-1oz of water each day, with the water coming from a non-food source. This results in about 30-180 droppings and ½ oz to 3 teaspoons or urine produced each day. Historically, the disease most commonly thought of involving rats is plague, which is transmitted via fleas. Fortunately, plague has not been found in rats in the United States for many years. Other transmissable diseases include murine typhus via fleas (also possibly via droppings and urine), infectious jaundice/leptospirosis/Weil's Disease via urine in water or food, rat-bite fever, trichinosis via undercooked pork and food poisoning or Salmonellosis via droppings.
Rats are primarily nocturnal in habit and they are cautious. Although they constantly explore their surroundings, they shy away from new objects and changes. Outdoors, Norway rats prefer to nest in burrows in the soil along railroad embankments, stream/river banks, piles of rubbish, under concrete slabs, etc. The burrow will have at least 1 entrance hole and at least 1 bolt-hole or emergency exit which is often hidden under grass, debris, etc. These are social animals and often many burrows will be located within a given area. An opening of greater than ½" (12mm) is required for entry into buildings. Indoors, Norway rats usually nest in basements and the lower portions of buildings in piles of debris or merchandise as long as it is not disturbed. Although Norway rats prefer the ground or lower levels of buildings and sewers, on occasions they may be found in attics, on roofs and in other high places. Although they will eat practically anything, Norway rats prefer meat, fish, and cereal. If the food material eaten proves to be disagreeable, they are quick to develop food/bait shyness.
Once they find an acceptable/preferred food, rats tend to eat their fill at one sitting/place and will return time after time. They almost always require a non-food or separate source of water. Norway rats will travel about 100-150 ft (30.5-45.7 m) from their harborage for food and/or water. They will gnaw through almost anything to obtain food and/or water, even plastic or lead pipes. Once established, Norway rats tend to follow the same route or pathway between their harborage and food and/or water sources. As often as possible, they follow vertical surfaces which their vibrissae or long whickers can contact. Runways along vertical surfaces will usually include dark rub marks on the vertical surfaces where their oily fur makes contact. Their runway will be free of debris, and outdoors, the grass will be worn away to the bare soil.
Gnaw marks. New gnawing or holes tend to be rough whereas, old gnawings are smooth from wear and old holes are often greasy.
Droppings. Fresh droppings are soft and moist whereas, old droppings are dried and hard; adult Norway's about 3/4" (18-20 mm) with blunt ends vs. adult roof's about 1/2" (12-13 mm) with pointed ends.
Rats defecate somewhat indiscriminately within their territories but mostly where they feed. Rat droppings serve as an indication of their presence and where control efforts should be concentrated. Nontoxic tracking powders can also be used to determine where they are most numerous.
Rats will travel 100-150 ft (30.5-45.7 m) for food and/or water along established runways and usually with their vibrissae in contact with vertical surfaces. Look for rub marks and clean runways. Place traps or bait stations along runways and against vertical surfaces.
Rats are gluttons. Place sufficient bait in each bait station for at least 1 meal (stop feed baits), 2 meals (acute/single-feed baits), or more (chronic/multi-feed baits). Once a preferred bait is found, they utilize this bait until feeding stops.
Rats are cautious. Minimal disturbance is desirable. Pre-trapping with unset snap traps or prebaiting with non-toxic bait may be necessary.
Norway rats prefer meat, fish and cereals. Use such high-protein baits and bait the center of glue boards and snap traps with such foodstuffs.
Rats usually have a water source other than their food if their food has a low moisture content. Liquid baits are particularly effective when their normal water source can be reduced or eliminated.
Outdoors, Norway rats usually live in ground burrows. Outdoors, gassing (fumigating) rat burrows is extremely effective. Follow label directions and do not gas burrows within 15ft (4.6m) of, or burrows which may run under or open into an occupied structure.