Norway rats prefer to nest in ground burrows. Although they can climb well, they tend to keep to the ground or the lower levels of buildings while searching for food. Because the food provided by people can be predictable, they’ll follow the same route between an established food source and their burrow until something changes. These routes can be
identified by their droppings, rub marks, gnawing or worn
trails through grass.
It’s important to place management efforts within 10 feet of the routes being used repeatedly by rats. Norway rats are not likely to leave routes that lead to an established food source to investigate other sources of food. Traps and stations set on or close to trails have a better chance of success. Baiting snap traps without setting them (prebaiting) can acclimate rats to the traps as well as help determine food preference if several options are provided.
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Check out our Rodent Biology, Behavior and Management ProTraining course:
***NARRATED COURSE***
The commensal rodents are highly intelligent and adaptive pests that must be managed because of their ability to cause sickness and diseases. Understanding their behavior is the root of effective rodent management. After completing this course, you should be able to identify the commensal rodents and Peromyscus mice, recognize the diseases carried by pest rodents, understand how these rodents sense and navigate their environment and then recommend the proper management methods for each.
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