The Brown Rat

Also referred to as common rat, street rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat, brown Norway rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat (Rattus norvegicus) is one of the best known and most common rats. Description: The fur is coarse and usually brown or dark grey, while the underparts are lighter grey or brown Diet: The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything, but cereals form a substantial part of its diet. Diseases: Similar to other rodents, brown rats may carry a number of pathogens, which can result in disease, including Weil’s disease, rat bite fever, cryptosporidiosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, Q fever and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

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The Black Rat

(Rattus rattus), also known as the ship rat, roof rat, house rat. Description: Despite its name, the black rat exhibits several colour forms. It is usually black to light brown in colour with a lighter underside. Diet: Black rats are considered omnivores and eat a wide range of foods, including seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi, and a variety of invertebrates and vertebrates Diseases: Similar to other rodents, brown rats may carry a number of pathogens, which can result in disease, including Weil’s disease, rat bite fever, cryptosporidiosis, viral hemorrhagic fever, Q fever and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

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The House Mouse, and sometimes the Long-Tailed Field Mouse

Diet: Mice are erratic, sporadic feeders, nibbling at many sources of food rather than taking repeated meals from any one item. Their favourite foods are cereal products, although they will eat almost anything Diseases: Mice have been known to spread some nasty diseases to humans such as Salmonella, Listeria, which can cause food poisoning.