The Brown Rat or Norway Rat

Also known as the common rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, Brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat (Rattus norvegicus) is one of the best known and most common rats.

One of the largest muroids, it is a brown or grey rodent with a body up to 25 cm (10 in) long, and a similar tail length. The male weighs on average 350 g (12 oz) and the female 250 g (9 oz). Thought to have originated in northern China, this rodent has now spread to all continents, except Antarctica, and is the dominant rat in Europe and much of North America—making it the most successful mammal on the planet after humans. Indeed, with rare exceptions the brown rat lives wherever humans live, particularly in urban areas.

Contact Advantage Pest Control Ltd to rid them from your home or business.

The Roof Rat or Black Rat

The roof rat or black rat is slimmer than the Norway rat and has larger ears.  It is usually black to dark brown in colour with a lighter underside. Roof rats’ nests are usually in the ceilings, attics and upper sections of the residences. Both roof rats and Norway rats are good climbers and can climb up the inside and outside of pipes. Roof rats can climb even wires. Female rats have up to 7 litters per year of 8-12 pups per litter.

Rats can get into a home through a hole about the size of a quarter. Rats damage structure, chew wiring and cause electrical fires, eat and urinate on human and animal food and carry many diseases. Rats rely mainly on smell, taste touch and hearing because of poor vision.

Contact Advantage Pest Control Ltd to rid them from your home or business.

Deer Mouse

The deer mouse typically makes its home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. On the rare occasions the deer mouse comes indoors, it prefers undisturbed areas such as attics. The deer mouse transmits the potentially fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The disease can be transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in aerosolized urine droplets of infected deer mice.  They are also accomplished jumpers and runners by comparison to house mice, and their common name of “deer mouse” is in reference to this agility.

Contact Advantage Pest Control Ltd to rid them from your home or business.

Raccoon

The raccoon is omnivorous and opportunistic. They often establish dens in chimneys when their dens in trees are destroyed or are not as easily available.  They are very protective of their young and will tear apart a roof if one of her youngsters is trapped inside. They are only dangerous when provoked, trapped or rabid but are still a major carrier of rabies in Eastern and Northeastern U.S.

More and more people are coming in contact with raccoons.  This contact increases the likelihood of contracting diseases related to raccoon roundworm, which have caused deaths in the U.S.

Contact Advantage Pest Control Ltd to rid them from your home or business.

Skunks

Skunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General appearance varies from species to species, from black-and-white to brown or cream colored. They are one of the major carriers of rabies in many parts of North America, including British Columbia. They can reach lengths of 2.5 feet long and weigh between one and two pounds.  Skunks are active and feed during night hours and generally only spray as a last resort in self defense.

Contact Advantage Pest Control Ltd to rid them from your home or business.