What Does Norway Rat Scat Look Like?
Norway rats are also called brown rats or house rats, and are the most common type of rat in the United States. Discovering Norway rat feces in the home is a sign of infestation. The pests' feces are about three-fourths of an inch long with blunt, rounded ends. You will usually find scat near rubbish piles, corners, attics, or other nesting places. Their feces can be confused with that of roof rats, which is smaller and has pointed tips.
Hazards of Norway Rat Feces
Rats carry numerous diseases — many of which can be transmitted through accidental contact with their droppings, as well as urine and saliva. These include typhus, leptospirosis, and salmonellosis. Although it is not as common with Norway rats, they can also be carriers of plague and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. Because of these risks, people must be very careful when in the presence of Norway rat poop.
While attempting to clean it up is not advised for untrained persons, if you must, there are some safety measures to keep in mind:
- Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves, and use other protective gear to avoid direct contact with the waste.
- Carefully dispose of any potentially infected material and use plenty of disinfectant.
- Never sweep or vacuum any feces, as this can stir up infected dust particles.
Due to the potential health risks involved in the clean-up and removal process, it's best to Contact Us at Critter Control of Seattle for professional removal.