Rat Facts

Get a better understanding of rats and what you can do to Rid Rats from your community!

Where do rats live?

The most common rat responsible for residential infestations is the Norway Rat. These rodents prefer to live underground in burrows. These burrows are most often made alongside building structures, fence lines walkways patios sheds and under low decks.

What do they look like?

Adult Norway rats are 12–18 inches long with a tail 5–8 inches long. Their fur is brown to reddish gray on their upper back and grayish white on the belly. They are heavy set with a sparsely haired tail, blunt nose, and short ears. Feces are capsule shaped and up to ¾ of an inch long.           

How long do they live and how often do they breed?

Rats typically live about one year, although they may survive longer, and females may have 4–7 litters of young per year. Litters range from 6–12 with a total of about 30 young expected to live to maturity per year.

What are their Habits?

Norway rats typically live in burrows which are 12–18 inches below ground and under 3 feet in length. Burrow openings are 3–10 inches in diameter, roughly dug, with openings usually angled towards a sheltered area. There are typically clearly defined paths or ”rat runs” leading to the burrow openings. Rats will travel up to 150 feet to find a source of food. They are omnivorous or will eat their young if the need arises. They tend to grow in population in direct relation to the available food supply.

 How does this affect the public?

Rats can destroy or contaminate food supplies. Rodent feces and urine are a source of gastrointestinal diseases such as Samonellosis or E-coli infections, and respiratory diseases such as Hantavirus. The rat flea has been an important agent of transmission for Plague and Murine typhus.

Revised April 26, 2007