Norway Rats in Fontana, CA — Why You Don’t Want These Pests Moving In
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
If you’ve been hearing scratching in your walls or attic, especially at night, you might not be dealing with just any rodent — it could be a Norway rat. In Fontana, CA, these large, burly rats are one of the most common (and destructive) pests homeowners face. Let’s break down what they look like, where they nest, what they eat, and why it’s crucial to bring in a professional to get them out for good.
What Norway Rats Look Like
Norway rats — also known as brown rats or sewer rats — are the heavyweights of the rodent world. They have thick, brown or gray fur, small ears, blunt noses, and tails that are shorter than their bodies. Adults can reach up to 16 inches long (including the tail) and weigh around a pound. If you’ve seen a rat that looks strong and stocky, chances are it’s a Norway rat.
Where They Nest
In Fontana, Norway rats love areas close to food and water. Outdoors, they dig burrows in soil along foundations, under sheds, wood piles, or near trash cans. Inside homes, they prefer basements, crawl spaces, and wall voids — anywhere dark, cool, and quiet. Once they find a good spot, they’ll use insulation, shredded paper, and other materials to build large nests for breeding.
What They Eat
Norway rats aren’t picky. They’ll eat grains, pet food, fruits, vegetables, meat scraps, garbage — basically anything edible. If your trash cans aren’t sealed tight or pet food is left out overnight, you’re rolling out the red carpet for them.
Why They Come Inside
Rats invade homes in Fontana for three main reasons: food, water, and shelter. When temperatures drop or outdoor food becomes scarce, they move indoors through gaps in foundations, broken vents, or openings as small as a quarter. Once they get in, they’re quick to settle — and even quicker to reproduce.
What Happens Once They’re Inside
Once inside, Norway rats don’t just make themselves comfortable — they cause chaos. They chew through electrical wires, insulation, and drywall. They contaminate food with droppings and urine, and their constant gnawing can even lead to fire hazards. Their oily fur leaves greasy rub marks along walls and baseboards — a telltale sign of an infestation.
The Damage They Cause
From structural damage to electrical fires and health risks, the harm Norway rats cause goes far beyond simple nuisance. They spread bacteria like salmonella, carry fleas and mites, and can transmit diseases through their droppings. Left unchecked, they can turn your home into a serious safety hazard.
Why You Need Professional Help
Trying to handle a Norway rat infestation on your own can be frustrating — and often ineffective. DIY traps and baits rarely solve the root problem because they don’t target the entire colony or nesting areas. Professional pest control experts like
TruPest Solutions know where to look, how to identify active nesting zones, and which treatments work best to eliminate Norway rats safely and completely.
Our team not only removes the rats you see, but also seals off entry points and provides exclusion work to keep them from returning.
Protect Your Home — Call TruPest Solutions Today
If you’re hearing scratching in the walls or seeing droppings around your property, don’t wait for the problem to grow. Norway rats multiply fast, and the longer they stay, the more damage they cause.
Call TruPest Solutions at (951) 334-5288 to schedule your inspection today.
We proudly serve Fontana, Rialto, and surrounding Southern California areas, providing trusted, professional rodent control that keeps your home safe year-round.
