Rat Facts
Everything You Need To Know About Rats:
The most common types of rats affecting homes in Metro Vancouver are:
The Roof Rat (Or Black Rat) – Roof rats can enter homes from either the ground level or the roof level. They climb like a squirrel. They like to nest in wall voids, crawlspaces, between floors and very often travel inside the walls of your home up and down the same routes as plumbing and electrical runs. They will also live in, garages, sheds and even trees.
The Norway Rat – Norway rats generally enter homes from the ground level (typically a structural flaw). They do not climb very well but can swim (AKA sewer rat). They like to nest in crawlspaces, wall voids, underneath sidewalks or decks, sheds and more rarely found in attics.
Rats are the most destructive pests in the world and the most common pest in the Lower Mainland. They can spread disease, damage structures and contaminate food sources. The rats and mice problem is particularly troubling for homeowners, as both pests share similar habitats and behaviours, exacerbating the challenges of pest control. The following are some more rat facts and rat information for Vancouver homeowners:
Breeding
When Do Rats Mate?
Rats are incredibly prolific breeders. Female rats, for instance, are in heat every 4 – 5 days and can be in heat again within 48 hours of giving birth. The gestation period for both mice and rats is relatively short, ranging from 21 to 23 days. This frequent mating cycle contributes to their rapid reproductive rates.
Litter size: Female rats produce litters between 5 and 12 pups, while female mice can have litters ranging from 1 to 14 offspring. Remarkably, female rats can produce as many as 7 litters per year, potentially yielding up to 84 offspring annually.
Sexual maturity: Newborn rats reach maturity very quickly and can attain sexual maturity in as little as 3 months. This rapid development, coupled with their high reproductive output, underscores why rats and mice are so persistent in urban environments.
Food And Feeding
Frequency: Rats are active mostly at night and will feed several times a day. They can survive for a few days without food and water.
Time of day: Mostly active at night, but may also come out during the day if food is scarce or if they feel safe.
Diet: Rats are omnivores and will eat almost anything, including seeds, fruits, grains, insects, and even small animals. They may also scavenge for food in garbage and compost bins.
Morphology And Lifestyle
Body length: Mice are typically 3-4 inches long, while rats can be up to 9-11 inches long (not including the tail).
Tail length: Mice have tails that are as long as their body or slightly shorter, while rat tails are longer than their body.
Weight: Mice weigh between 0.5-1 oz, while rats can weigh up to 1 lb or more.
Habitat: Mice and rats can live above ground, but they also spend a lot of time on the ground and in burrows.
Call: Mice and rats make high-pitched squeaks and chirps, and may also gnaw or scratch to communicate.
Lifespan: Mice typically live up to 2 years in the wild, while rats can live up to 3 years or more.
Did You Know?
Mouse and rat fact: Mice and rats have teeth that grow continuously, so they need to gnaw on hard materials to wear them down.
Mouse and rat fact: Rats are excellent swimmers and can hold their breath for up to three minutes.
Mouse and rat fact: Mice and rats are social animals and will often live in large groups or colonies.
Mouse and rat fact: Both mice and rats are very adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments, including urban areas.
39 Years Of Wildlife Removal Experience
At Gates Wildlife Control, we offer professional and effective animal removal and prevention solutions to keep raccoons, squirrels, and skunks from entering your home. We also provide effective rodent control services for mice and rat infestations. Our team is trained and experienced in the installation of one-way doors, which allow the animals to exit your attic or walls, but prevent them from returning. Contact us today for a free consultation and quote,to keep these animals out of your home for good.
Raccoons, squirrels, and skunks are common animals that can cause damage and create nuisances when they move into your attic or walls. They can chew on wires, damage insulation, leave droppings and debris, and even carry diseases and parasites.
One-way doors are a humane and effective way to remove these animals from your home and prevent them from returning. The doors are installed over the entry points the animals are using to access your attic or walls. Once the animals leave to forage for food, they are unable to re-enter the space through the one-way door.
At Gates Wildlife Control, we have the knowledge and equipment to effectively install one-way doors for raccoons, squirrels, and skunks. Our team will also assess your home and identify any potential entry points that need to be sealed off to prevent future intrusions.
In addition to installing one-way doors, we also offer repair services for damage caused by the animals and provide screening of potential entry points. This includes fixing holes in the roof or walls to prevent water from coming into the roof and walls and installing screens over roof vents, soffits and chimneys.
Don’t let raccoons, squirrels, or skunks take over your attic or walls. Contact Gates Wildlife Control today for a free consultation and quote, and keep these pests out of your home for good with our one-way door installation services.
Morphology and Lifestyle
- Wing span: Big Brown Bats – 32 to 39cm; Little Brown Bats – 22 to 27cm.
- Weight: Big Brown Bats – 11 to 25g; Little Brown Bats – 5 to 11g.
- Vocalization: Bats use high frequency echo-location that is hard to hear with the exception of some clicking sounds.
- Lifespan: Between 10 and 20 years with the rare bat living as long as 30 years.
Did You Know?
- Bat fact: Bats play an important role in our environment as they can consume up to 3,000 insects in one night.
- Bat fact: Bats in Canada will not fly in your hair and suck your blood.
- Bat fact: Bats can spread the rabies virus when infected with very little to no evidence of contact.
- Bat fact: Bats can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime.
- Bat fact: A bat can produce several times its own weight in waste each month.
- Bat fact: Bat colonies can range in size from one to several hundred and can double in size every year.
- Bat fact: Bats hibernate when the temperature drops below 10 degrees C.
More About Mice/Rats
Humane Raccoon Removal
Humane Skunk Removal
Humane Squirrel Removal
Do It Yourself Dangers
For those who may be tempted to take on the task of removing animals and animal proofing themselves, it is important to remember that it can be a dangerous undertaking. Falling off ladders and roofs while attempting to remove animals or seal entry points can result in serious bodily harm. In some cases, even aggressive animals can pose a danger to those trying to remove them. It is best to leave these tasks to experienced professionals who have the knowledge and equipment to safely and effectively handle wildlife removal and animal proofing. Attempting to do it yourself can put you at risk of injury and potentially even more damage to your home.
