Most people are already very aware of the danger that even a small rat infestation can pose to a home, apartment and even an office or retail location. Rats are commonly associated with potentially harmful diseases, due to the fact that ticks, fleas and other tiny disease carrying insects are commonly found in their fur. In addition to this danger associated with rats, they can actually do some damage to the wiring systems in your home, apartment complex or office by chewing them. This can be extremely problematic, as it drastically increases the risk of fire in any building. 
There are a several of types of rodents that are common to the Vancouver and surrounding region of the lower mainland, known as Norway Rats, Roof Rats and mice. A Norway Rat is usually gray, brown or even black in colour, and can grow to be about a foot long! Norway Rats have smaller features like ears and tails compared to other types of rats, and are actually extremely good at climbing, which makes it easy for them to enter a building when the temperature outside begins to drop in the fall. At other times, they are known to live in fields and in woodpiles, and can enter structures through holes that are the size of a quarter. Roof Rats are larger than Norway Rats, and can grow to be up to sixteen inches long. They are most commonly all black in colour, and get their name due to the fact that they tend to live in high places, such as roofs, rafters or top floors of high rise office buildings or apartments.
These rats have earned a reputation for how quickly they find and chew through electrical wires, and are also known for getting into kitchen cupboards and eating packaged foods. These rodents tend to make their homes in secluded areas like attics and crawl spaces. An inspection is always recommended to determine the level of infestation you may have.
