Where do rats live?

Question: Where do rats live?

Answer: Where rats live depends a great deal on the species of rat. Norway rats and roof rats are usually the two rats that most often live in urban and suburban areas.

Norway Rat Close Up

Norway Rat Close Up

Generally, Norway rats prefer to live at ground level in underground burrows located under buildings and under debris located at ground-level. Norway rats are terrestrial by nature.

Adult Roof Rat

Adult Roof Rat

Roof rats prefer to live above ground in the roof section of structures, in eaves, trees or some other protected harborage site above ground. Roof rats are arboreal by nature. Inside, Norway rats they will live in wall voids, in crawl spaces or cluttered sections of basements. If indoors, roof rats often live in attics.

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