Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

The Norway Rat (Brown Rat, Common Rat, Wharf Rat, Sewer Rat, Hanover Rat or Street Rat) is one of the most common rats in North America.

Treatment for the Norway Rat can be quite extensive. It begins with an inspection of the premises, identification of the correct species of rat and possible borough sites, and then correcting areas of concern. These areas can include: sanitation, the need for exclusion work to prevent the rodents from entering your house, monitoring the rat activity, and placing mechanical or baiting techniques to help eliminate the rodent problem.

Norway Rats may carry a number of pathogens which can result in disease including, but not limited to: rat bite fever, Hantavirus, and can be a way to be exposed to toxoplasmosis if you have a cat that has eaten an infected rat.

The gestation period is only 21 days, and they can have 5 litters a year which average about seven pups at a time. They reach sexual maturity in about five weeks, making this rodent very capable of large infestations within a few short months. The Norway Rat can live up to three years but most only live about a year.