How to identify norway rats
- Heavy-bodied 7–10 inches, tail shorter than the body
- Brown to grayish fur, blunt snout, small ears
- Poor climbers; strong swimmers and burrowers
- Droppings ~¾ inch with blunt ends
Signs of an infestation
- Burrow holes 2–3 inches wide near foundations, sheds, or planters
- Worn dirt runways along fences or walls
- Damage to garbage bins, compost, or pet food storage
- Sewer line backups or smells from rodent damage
Why norway rats thrive in the SFV
Norway rats follow water and food waste. Older sewer lines under SFV homes (especially in pre-war neighborhoods of Van Nuys, Burbank, and North Hollywood), unsecured trash areas, and backyard chicken coops all attract them.
The Evictr treatment process
- 1Inspection focused on burrows, sewer access, and ground-level entry points
- 2Burrow treatment and collapse after population reduction
- 3Heavy-duty exterior trapping in protected stations
- 4Foundation and crawl-space exclusion
- 5Sewer cap and cleanout inspection guidance
Prevention tips
- Secure trash and recycling bin lids; rinse before placing curbside
- Elevate woodpiles and remove ground-level clutter near the house
- Repair broken sewer cleanout caps
- Eliminate standing water in the yard
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Norway rats and roof rats?
Norway rats live low — burrows, basements, sewers — and have stocky bodies with short tails. Roof rats live high — attics, trees, rooflines — and are sleek with long tails. Treatment differs significantly between the two.
How dangerous are Norway rats?
They can carry leptospirosis, salmonella, and hantavirus, contaminate food, and cause structural damage by gnawing wiring and pipes. Treat them as a health and fire hazard, not a nuisance.
Do you remove rats from sewer lines?
We treat the surface population and identify likely sewer access points. For confirmed sewer-line breaches, we coordinate with a licensed plumber to seal the breach so our exclusion holds.
Norway Rats control across the San Fernando Valley
Evictr provides norway rats treatment to homes and small commercial properties across the SFV, including: