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If you’re a curious pet owner or someone who heard the scratching above the ceiling or the wall during midnight sleep, knowing the different breeds of rats can give you the upper hand to understand their traits as disruptive rats. In a city like Sydney, where rodents sneak into homes faster than a sausage roll disappears at a Bunnings BBQ, knowing your rat types isn’t just trivia, but it’s survival. Getting rid of them can be easy, or it might depend on the situation, especially when you're dealing with a full-blown colony or trying to outsmart these crafty pests.
From wild pests to adorable pets, this is your go-to guide on the breeds of rat, their habits, and how to deal with them.
Not all rats are the same. Some chew through walls and cables, while others just want a warm space and a snack. If you're dealing with these kinds of rats, each breed has its quirks and different strategies for rat control. Knowing rat breeds helps you choose the right rat pest control solution near you.
Knowing what to expect from a rat infestation in your residential and commercial property helps to plan a preventive measure for future rodent invasions. Understanding their behaviour gives you an advantage when it comes to eliminating them for good.
Let’s explore what makes each of these rodents tick.
Also called black rats or ship rats, these are the most agile rats in Sydney. Roof rats are expert climbers; they love heights and think roof spaces, attics, and ceilings. Slim, with large ears and tails longer than their bodies, roof rats are fast, clever, and hard to catch.
Traits:
Problem:
Roof rats often invade Sydney roof cavities, leaving droppings, urine, and gnawed wires behind. Without access, they’re tricky to remove; roof rats are clever and smart. They are more conscious of their surroundings, especially when they feel like they are in danger. When you have a hard time dealing with this kind of rat, let our professional rat control services in Sydney do the all-out rat extermination.
Don’t be fooled by the name, they’re not tourists. Also known as brown rats, Norway rats are heavy-bodied, ground dwellers who burrow beneath buildings and patios. They cannot be called the sewer beast for nothing.
Traits:
Problem:
Because they are like strong swimmers and burrowers. These guys are destructive diggers and gnawers. They’re behind many of Sydney’s garden and ground-floor infestations. Get our rodent-proofing Sydney homes and businesses to handle the case. Offering peace of mind and a pest-free environment.
They are tiny but mighty, house mice are often mistaken for baby rats. But don’t let their size fool you, they can multiply like crazy and contaminate food faster than you can say “Tim Tam.”
Traits:
Problem:
House mice are more common than people think and just as risky when it comes to health and contamination. Sydney Pest Crew offers safe, effective mice control services tailored for Sydney homes.
When it comes to rats, things can escalate really fast. A female rat can become pregnant again just 48 hours after giving birth. Their sexual maturity can be reached in as little as 5 to 12 weeks, and they are ready to breed well before most people even notice a problem. Once pregnant, her gestation lasts around 21 days, and she’ll typically give birth to a litter of 5 to 12 pups. As a matter of fact, one single female rat can produce up to 70 rats a year. Now imagine if just a few of those offspring are also female; they’ll start breeding too, turning a small issue into a full-blown infestation in no time!
The longer you leave it, the more rats you’ll have to deal with. That's why expert help from professionals like Sydney Pest Crew is needed. We don’t only eliminate the current colony but also help our pest crew team stop the next generation from moving in.
While wild rats cause chaos and damage, pet rats are a different breed, like, literally. They’re bred for temperament, colour, and coat type. Common pet varieties include:
Standard Rats
They are called the fancy rat and are a pet selective breeding of domesticated rats. Their appearance has a classic smooth coat. Standard rats have a body with a size of about 6-8 inches and a tail that can vary based on the breeding methods used.
Rex Rats
These quirky creatures have curly fur and whiskers, giving them a distinct, fuzzy appearance. Rex rats have a soft, woolly coat that sets them apart from your average rodent, and they’re often kept as pets for their unique look and playful nature.
Dumbo Rats
They are named after their large and low-set ears. Dumbo rats are one of the most recognisable breeds. Their ears sit lower on the sides of their heads, giving them a sweet and almost cartoonish appearance. They’re gentle, friendly, and often found in pet stores across Sydney.
Sphynx Rats
Also known as hairless rats, Sphynx rats are completely bald and warm to the touch due to their lack of fur. While not common in the wild, they can appear in some households, especially if someone previously owned them as pets and they escaped or were released.
Satin Rats
These rats are known for their luxurious, shiny coats that feel silky to the touch. Their gleaming fur makes them popular in the fancy rat community, but just like any rat, they’re quick, clever, and curious.
Remember: If you're a pet owner, having hygiene and preventing rodent infestation are still key. Even pet rats can attract wild ones if food or bedding isn’t stored properly.
Sometimes you don’t need to call on pest control services. You can use DIY techniques and methods to handle simple cases of rodent invasions. You can try peppermint oil, traps, or ultrasonic devices, but these rarely solve the full problem, especially if rats are in your roof with no access.
And if you’re searching for professional help? Sydney Pest Crew is here, ready to corner these little invaders out of your residential and commercial property. With years of experience, combined with licenced technicians and tailored rat control services in Sydney, we know exactly how to treat, remove, and prevent rodent infestations of all kinds.
Here are some proven steps to keep rat breeds out:
From roof rats in the ceiling to Norway rats under your deck, Sydney Pest Crew handles it all. Their trained team uses eco-friendly, family-safe solutions to evict even the cleverest rodents. We offer free inspections and custom treatment plans and provide ongoing prevention advice to keep them away for good. We can assure you that once we do the job done right, our team guarantees results.
Choose Sydney Pest Crew to reclaim your home from the rats, once and for all.
Understanding the breeds of rat in Sydney isn’t just interesting, but it’s also essential. These pests may be small, but they carry big risks. Knowing what you're dealing with helps you act faster, smarter, and more effectively.
Book your rodent inspection with Sydney Pest Crew today and say goodbye to scratching in the walls and unexpected droppings in the pantry.
Book a pest treatment online or call us on 1300 288 342
