(208) 297-7947

Rodents

Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Danger Level: 5/5Updated September 2026 · Boise, ID

IdentificationHow to Identify Norway Rat

Quick Answer

Norway rats are big, heavy-bodied rodents measuring 7-10 inches, with tails shorter than their body. They've got brown or grayish-brown fur, small ears, and blunt noses.

Full identification notes

Their droppings are capsule-shaped, about 3/4 inch long with rounded ends. You'll also hear them called brown rats, sewer rats, or wharf rats.

Get Help Now
Rodent Control

  • Free

    Re-Service Between Visits

  • 4.9/5

    Google Rating

  • 9 to 5

    Office Hours, Mon to Fri

Norway Rat Behavior & Habits

Understanding how norway rat behave helps prevent infestations

Norway rats are nocturnal and strong swimmers.

More about their habits

They dig extensive burrow systems under buildings, along foundations, and into embankments. They prefer to nest at ground level or below, and they're cautious about anything new in their space (which is why they're tough to trap the first few nights).

Norway Rat Risks & Dangers

What norway rat can do to your health and property

Health Risks

Norway rats carry serious diseases including leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, salmonellosis, and plague.

Property Damage

Norway rats chew through structures, electrical wiring (a real fire hazard), pipes, and insulation.

Full health and property details

Health Risks

They contaminate way more food than they actually eat. Their urine and droppings create real health hazards, and they'll bite when cornered.

Property Damage

Their burrowing can undermine foundations and tear up landscaping. The damage can cost thousands to repair if it goes unchecked.

Signs of Norway Rat Infestation

Look for these indicators in your home

Signs You Have Norway Rat

What homeowners spot first

  1. Large droppings (3/4 inch) with blunt ends
  2. Burrow holes along foundations (2-3 inches diameter)
  3. Greasy rub marks along walls and pipes
More signs to look for
  1. Gnaw marks on wood, plastic, and even concrete
  2. Sounds of gnawing, squeaking, or running at night
  3. Strong ammonia-like odor in enclosed areas

Norway Rat in Boise & the Treasure Valley

Norway rat calls spike in fall and early winter, when they're hunting shelter from Treasure Valley cold snaps.

More on what we see locally

We see them most in older Boise neighborhoods like the North End, East End, and Vista, and in parts of Garden City near the Boise River corridor. Mature landscaping, irrigation ditches, and older crawl spaces all give them what they want. Most of our Norway rat work happens in basements, around garbage corrals, and along foundation lines.

Our Solution

How We Handle Norway Rat

What our approach looks like

Rats inside your home are covered by our pest plan.

Our full approach

We set locked, tamper-resistant bait stations along the routes rats actually travel (including the crawl space entrance when needed), plug the obvious gaps with copper mesh, and walk you through the sanitation tweaks that keep them from coming back. Snap traps are rare. We don't go into attics or crawl into crawl spaces, and rats living outside in yard burrows are usually a separate charge, so ask us for a quote.

Learn About Our Rodent Control

How to Prevent Norway Rat

Steps you can take to reduce the risk of infestation

  1. Seal any opening bigger than 1/2 inch (they squeeze through small gaps)
  2. Store food in metal or thick plastic containers, not cardboard
  3. Keep garbage in sealed bins with tight lids
More prevention steps
  1. Pull bird feeders and pet food bowls inside overnight
  2. Clear out brush piles and clutter around the foundation
  3. Fix drainage so water moves away from the building

Norway Rat Questions Answered

Common questions about identification, prevention, and treatment

Call (208) 297-7947

What's the difference between Norway rats and roof rats?

Quick answerNorway rats are bigger, with blunt noses, small ears, and tails shorter than their body.

They stick to ground-level spots like basements, sewers, and burrows. Roof rats are sleeker, with pointed noses, large ears, and long tails, and they prefer attics, trees, and elevated areas. In the Treasure Valley we see Norway rats far more often than roof rats.

Can rats chew through concrete?

Quick answerNorway rats can gnaw through soft concrete, cinder block, and most building materials.

They can't chew through properly cured concrete, but they'll exploit any crack or gap that's already there. We plug the obvious gaps with copper mesh during service. Bigger repairs, like cracked concrete or damaged block, are a job for you or a handyman.

How fast can you get rid of a rat problem in Boise?

Quick answerIt depends on how established the rats are and how they're getting in.

Bait takes time to work, because rats have to find the stations and feed. We usually get out within 24 to 48 hours of your call, and same-day is often available. If rats show up between visits, call (208) 297-7947 and we'll come back free.

Think You Have Norway Rat?

Call and we'll talk through your options. We usually get out within 24 to 48 hours.

Quarterly plans starting at

$119/quarter

  • No-Obligation Quote
  • Locally Owned
  • Free Re-Service Between Visits

Call Now

Or call now: (208) 297-7947

(208) 297-7947

Our Pest Control Services

Complete pest protection. Professional solutions for every pest problem, on a quarterly plan or a one-time visit.

View All Services

Proudly Serving the Treasure Valley

Local technicians from the Treasure Valley, in Boise, Meridian, and surrounding communities.

View All Service Areas

Pest Control Resources

Expert tips & guides. Local pest knowledge from Boise's trusted exterminators