The Alabama River meanders through the heart of the state and supplied necessary food and water to the earliest Native Americans and pioneers; its importance has continued through the ages. Another Alabama local who desires the benefits of food and moisture sources is the Norway rat. Instead of depending on the Alabama River, it sets its sights on life-sustaining resources within your home.
Here’s A Quick Way To Identify Norway Rats And Their Relationship With Humans
Rodents are a fact of life all over the United States, and Alabama is no exception. One common rat in Alabama is the Norway rat.
Norway rats have brown, bristly hair with black strands intertwined throughout their coat and lighter underbellies with off-white to gray and yellowish tones. They grow to be around nine inches long not including their hairless tails. They have blunt noses and small ears and eyes.
Norway rats have had a close association with humans for a long time. They are believed to have originated in Asia, making their way to Europe, and later to the United States. During times of famine, early Europeans ate Norway rats to survive. Some people even gathered them up and used them for sport. They have also helped to usher in diseases that have been detrimental to humans. We have been co-mingling for centuries, thus the name “commensal” rodents, which means “table-sharing.” Simply put, our lives have intersected for a long time.
Who Else Wants A Better Understanding Of Problems Caused By Norway Rats?
Norway rats cause two-fold problems. Not only do they damage our homes and properties, but they can cause significant harm to those we love.
Damages caused by Norway rats include:
- Gnawing: Rats chew through electrical wires, wood, lead pipes, and plastics. Structural damage to ceilings, floors, doors, walls, and windows can also result from gnawing.
- Burrowing: Burrowing and nesting can undermine foundations and ruin insulation.
- Contamination: Food surfaces are contaminated when these rats get into your kitchen and pantries. They will also damage containers and packaging where food is stored.
- Additional infestations: Other pests hitch rides on these rats to enter homes, such as fleas, ticks, and lice.
Five health issues caused by Norway rats include:
- Rat-bite fever
- Tularemia
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonellosis
- Allergies and asthma attacks from rat feces and urine
The Best Way To Prevent Norway Rats From Accessing Your Alabama Home
Since Norway rats can fit through cracks the size of a quarter, they can be challenging to prevent and eradicate. Establishing a plan that includes basic preventative measures can save homeowners a lot of trouble.
Six prevention techniques homeowners can implement include:
- Keeping firewood stored away from your home.
- Removing yard debris that rats find perfect for nesting.
- Sealing any gaps or holes inside or outside with silicone-based caulking or steel wool.
- Fixing leaky pipes (especially in basements, attics, and crawl spaces).
- Sealing food products in glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Emptying trash cans often to outside bins with tightly-fitted lids.
The Secret To Effective Norway Rat Removal From Your Alabama Home
Homeowners should always be on the lookout for signs of a rat infestation. Since Norway rats can reproduce quickly, infestations can rapidly get out of hand. Contact the pest professionals at Havard Pest Control at the first sign of trouble. With over 100 trained professionals, 12 conveniently located office locations, and 70 years of experience, we can safely and effectively eliminate your pest problems. Call Havard Pest Control today for your free inspection.