Few people like rats or mice and no one wants them in their homes or place of business. Rodents live everywhere outside and most people don't think about them until they are spotted inside. Rodent invasions usually happen in the fall when their food supply is almost gone.

Norway Rats usually live in burrows in the ground. They prefer fresh fruits, vegetables and meats to eat. They can travel up to 100 yards from their burrow to feed. Rats must have a lot of fresh water. For this reason, when rats move in, a fresh water supply is one of the first things we look for. Norway rats have a life span of 12-18 months, a gestation period of 21-25 days and an average litter size of 8-12 pups. They have a breeding potential of 4-8 litters per year.

Control includes traps, baits and exclusion measures. Pre-baiting is usually necessary as rats have bait shyness.