A Glimpse Into Rats
Adult rats can weigh anywhere from 5-16 ounces and measure 6-10 inches long. They have large ears and a pointed nose. A rat’s fur can be either smooth or shaggy depending on the type of rat. Their droppings are 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, capsule shaped, with blunt ends. Rats will leave a hind foot track of about 3/4-1 inch where a mouse’s track measure’s 3/8 of an inch or less. They will also drag their tails, leaving a mark between their feet tracks. Tracking powder can be dusted to help determine their runways as they cross suspected areas.
Rats gnawing holes have rough edges and are about two inches or more in diameter. They prefer to gnaw on wood, but can damage electrical wiring. Rat burrows can be found beneath rubbish and shrubbery or along foundations. Rat runways are smooth and well packed. Indoors, these runways are free of dust and dirt. Rats prefer foods with a high protein or carbohydrate content, but will eat almost any type of food. They need much more water to survive than mice do and can obtain water from toilets, sinks, rain puddles, or condensation from utility pipes.
Young rats reach sexual maturity in two to three months. Females will average four to seven litters a year, with eight to twelve pups per litter. Adults live for about a year. They live in colonies. Rats will seek food outside, but many times will come inside at night to forage for food and return to their burrows. As the rat family grows, more burrows are built, resulting in a network of underground tunnels. Inside, rats commonly nest on the lower levels, but if the population is too large, they may be found in the attic and ceiling areas. Their nests are built from soft material like paper or grass chewed into small pieces. Rats will climb if necessary to enter a building. They can also be good swimmers. Rats are suspicious of changes in the environment or new foods, for this reason it may take a couple of days for traps or baits to take. Rats are nocturnal, with their peak activity at dusk or before dawn. They can be seen during the day when their population is large or they are disturbed or hungry.
If you have rat problems in Minnesota call us today at 651-735-3101. Our offices are located in St. Paul, Minneapolis, Oakdale & Brooklyn Park.
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Arizona Rat Control Service Areas
Massachusetts Rat Control Service Areas
- Rat Control in Framingham, MA
- Rat Control in Marlborough, MA
- Rat Control Milford, MA
- Rat Control in Shrewsbury, MA
- Rat Control in Southborough, MA
- Rat Control in Wellesley, MA
Michigan Rat Control Service Areas
- Rat Control in Commerce Charter Township, MI
- Rat Control in Detroit, MI
- Rat Control in Farmington Hills, MI
- Rat Control in Milford, MI
- Rat Control in Novi, MI
- Rat Control in Plymouth, MI
- Rat Control in South Lyon, MI
- Rat Control in Wixom, MI
Minnesota Rat Control Service Areas
- Rat Control in Lakeview, MN
- Rat Control in Brooklyn Park, MN
- Rat Control in Champlin, MN
- Rat Control in Eagan, MN
- Rat Control in Edina, MN
- Rat Control in Golden Valley, MN
- Rat Control in Inver Grove Heights, MN
- Rat Control in Minneapolis-St.Paul, MN
- Rat Control in Oakdale, MN
- Rat Control in Plymouth, MN
- Rat Control in Rochester, MN
- Rat Control in Roseville, MN
- Rat Control in Shoreview, MN