Norwegian water rats are also called Norway rats, brown rats, or simply, water rats. No matter what name you call them, these rats are the most well known of the rodent species and are the most wide spread, due to their adaptability and breeding habits.
Norwegian water rats do not come from Norway. They originated in Asia and then spread across the world through the colonization of Europeans. The Norwegian water rats would travel on the ships with the sailors and make their homes in the new ports as they arrived.
With this ingenuity, the Norwegian water rat soon was the most adaptable species of animal, next to human beings, covering the planet. These rats live in areas where humans are present and utilize their resources to thrive.
Norwegian water rats are brown to grey in color, and their bodies are the same length as their tails. They can grow up to 10 inches in length with matching tails and can become a major health threat. This is due, in part, to their ability to carry and spread diseases, as well as diseased parasites, such as lice or ticks. Norwegian water rats are excellent swimmers and can also be found in the sewer systems of metropolitan areas, where they thrive on trash that exists in these areas.
Norwegian water rats are scavengers, living off of garbage, spilled food and other discarded sources. They will infest homes and areas where food is kept, and are very difficult to remove without the help of a pest control professional. Setting traps and using baits can help keep Norwegian water rats at bay. If a large number is present, it's best to leave the job to someone with the tools and expertise to handle these dangerous pests.