Rat Varieties
There are two main pest varieties of rat in the U.S. One is the roof rat. These rodents entered North America on ships from Asia and are also commonly known as ship rats. They prefer to dwell in elevated areas and inhabit the rafters and roofs of houses. They may also live between floors inside structures. Roof rats are black in appearance and have tails as long as their bodies. These rats carry a variety of diseases, and a local pest control professional should be contacted immediately upon discovery of a rat infestation to devise a customized treatment or extermination plan.
The Norway rat is perhaps the most widespread rat worldwide and a common variety in North America. These rodents are terrestrial in nature and burrow beneath the earth to build their nests. While the body of the roof rat tends to be slender and long, Norway rats are large and rotund. They range in color from brown to gray and are covered in coarse fur. Norway rats leave grease marks on walls and floorboards with which they come into contact. Norway rats also transmit diseases and parasites.