Both rats are considered medium in size, weighing 9 to 12 ounces and approximately 10 inches in length with naked or scaly tails. Their coat color can range from black, brown, grey or mixes of all 3. Both rats have small ears and blunt noses. Rats can become sexually reproductive within 5 weeks of birth. Pregnancy lasts approximately 21 days and each litter can yield 7-14 babies.

Black or Roof Rats prefer to nest in higher sections of building, walls voids, trees, etc. Excellent climbers.

Brown rats or Norway rats prefer to nest closer to the ground or water areas.

Rats in general are omnivores and considered “commensal” which means they live along side of humans and they benefit from our waste.

Control options for rats include trapping, strategic bait placement, exclusion services, and active burrow treatments. Each method has its advantages, and a combination of strategies is often the most effective approach.