Here in Tampa, there’s a pretty severe rat problem. If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve probably seen those giant, brown rats scurrying around Tampa. Those are called Norway rats, and they’re invasive pests that lives in your home. So today, let’s touch on the Tampa, Norway rats.
Rats commonly live in attics, walls, basements, and other warm, dry places. They can also be found living in sewers and drainage systems. Rats are attracted to areas with food sources such as pet food, bird seed, and garbage cans. Having these items around your property can make it easier for rats to find their way in. To avoid them getting in, make sure to store food in airtight containers and keep garbage cans as far away from your house as possible. Also, keep windows closed and seal any potential entry points, such as holes or cracks in walls.
Tampa Norway Rats: Overview
Tampa Norway rats are the predominant rat species throughout most of Europe and North America, but Central Florida is known to have a higher prevalence of roof rats. These creatures can be highly detrimental; they may chew through your possessions or consume your food, not to mention spread diseases via their droppings and parasites on their fur.
Further, still, these rodents tend to create nests by burrowing beneath buildings or concrete slabs – if you observe freshly displaced soil in front of three-inch wide openings then it’s likely that Norway Rats have taken up residence nearby. Digging deep into the soil, burrows typically measure 18 inches and have a hard-packed surface leading to them that acts as an efficient pathway. As well as providing safety for its inhabitants, these underground dwellings are also used for storing food. However, their tunneling activities can be destructive; undermining foundations of structures, causing erosion in levee banks, damaging landscaping, and blocking sewer lines – all due to their ambitious burrowing behavior!
The Norway rat is an eager eater and will happily devour various fresh food, such as grain, fish, and even meat. Despite their preferences, if necessary, they can survive on decaying food or garbage, too – all these pests need to thrive is one ounce of food and the same amount of water daily.
Nesting
Norway rats nest in burrows, yet prefer to take shelter close by while looking for sustenance. When they settle indoors, these rodents will likely hide behind walls or in basements and crawl spaces. Anywhere outdoors on your property, such as gardens, fields, and around foundations can become a spot of refuge under garbage piles too.
Habitat
Norway rats thrive near coastal areas and canals, usually where garbage is improperly stored. When searching for food and water, they typically stay within 100 to 150 feet of their nest; however, if the resources are scarce in this vicinity, they may roam farther afield. In addition to these regions, Norway rats have become notorious for inhabiting sewers all over the globe.
You can see why they’re so popular in Tampa. Coastal waterways and swamps are all over for these little pests. Combine that with a state that has a restaurant on every corner with a dumpster full of food for these guys; you can easily see why the Tampa Norway rat population is a large one.
Tampa Norway Rat: Prevention Tips
These rats are not guests you want in your home. They’re big, intelligent, fast, and hard to eliminate. So let’s touch on some quick ways to keep them out of your home in the first place. Because, as you know, an ounce of prevention vs. and a pound of cure.
For one, make sure you have every physical barrier you can up to prevent the rats from entering. “Rat-proofing” is an important and often neglected aspect of the control of rats. Exclusion is relatively permanent and prevents damage. Plug holes with paper to determine which holes are active prior to securing them. To exclude rats, seal all holes and openings larger than ½ inch across. Rodent-proofing should be done with heavy materials that resist gnawing, including concrete mortar, 24-gauge galvanized sheet metal, and 18-gauge hardware cloth.
Store all pet food and bulk foods in rodent-proof containers or sealed rooms. A proper container should be heavy-duty, resistant to rust, rats, and damage, and equipped with a tight-fitting lid. Galvanized steel containers in good condition provide greater resistance to entry by rats than vinyl or plastic.
The garbage from homes, stores, farms, and restaurants should be stored properly. Large metal containers for refuse (dumpsters) sometimes have holes for drainage to facilitate cleaning. Holes for drainage should be fitted with a ¼-inch wire mesh or a removable plug. Otherwise, the container becomes a station for feeding rodents.
Tampa Norway Rats: Identification
Known by many names, this rat is often referred to as a brown rat for a reason. Norway rats have fur that is generally dark grey or brown on the backside and light grey or brown on the underside. They can grow up to ten inches in body length, with a tail that usually doubles that measurement. The tails of these rats can be pink or brown in color. They have shorter, blunter snouts than their cousin, the roof rat. Adult males are typically over a pound and have been known to be up to two pounds in weight. Females are generally a little smaller.
The Norway rat is usually nocturnal. It is a good swimmer, but unlike the related Black rat (Rattus rattus), it is a poor climber. Norway rats dig well and often excavate extensive burrow systems. Rats are capable of producing ultrasonic vocalizations both as adults and pups. They may also emit a short, high-frequency, socially-induced vocalization during interactions with other rats or animals. This call most resembles a “chirping” sound but is undetectable to human ears. Rats can audibly be heard through calls resembling “squeaks” when they are in distress.
Rats are omnivores. This means they can prey on both plants and animals. As predators, rats are very opportunistic.
If you believe you have a rat problem, feel free to contact us at insectfree.com for a consultation.
