What you need to know about rats?
The two most common pest rats in Sydney are:
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The Black Roof Rat
(rattus rattus) |
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The Norway Rat
(rattus norvegicus) |
Rats construct their nests using soft materials, such as leaf litter, shredded
paper or fabrics close to areas where they scavenge for food and water. These
nests are usually situated in wall cavities, roof voids, or under floor areas,
and in the case of Norway Rats in burrows in garbage tips and other similar
sites.
Rodents actively forage for food at night using the same routes of movement
to and from the food sources. Their diet includes food material of both
animal and plant origin and apart from mice, access to water is necessary.
Mice can obtain water from foodstuffs providing the food is sufficiently
moist.
Rats as pests
Rats are responsible for the destruction and contamination of food in store,
disease transmission and damage to property through their gnawing habit.