Arizona has four common rodents. They include the Roof Rat, the Packrat, the Deer Mouse and the Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus). While its name may sound exotic, the Norway Rat is anything but exotic. as its common name – Sewer Rat – reveals its preference for living in sewer tunnels and subway systems and scavenging food from trash.
If you suspect sewer rats on your property, call a wildlife removal professional right away.
Here’s everything you need to know about sewer rats in Arizona.
Where do they come from?
The Norway Rat, contrary to its official name, did not arrive on ships from the country of Norway as it was thought when the rats first appeared in England. The Norway Rat is actually native to northern China and Mongolia.1
Where can you find sewer rats living?
The Norway rat / sewer rat is also called the brown rat because of its coarse brownish-gray fur. It is stocky and more muscular than a roof rat. As the name implies sewer rats like living at or below ground level unlike roof rats who prefer to live higher up in buildings in areas such as a roof or attic.
How do they differ from other rats?
Sewer rats have a blunt nose, small close-set ears and a tail that is scaly and shorter than their bodies. Roof rats are about 6 to 8 inches long with a 6 to 8 inch tail while sewer rats can grow to 11 inches.2 The size and short tail of sewer rats are ways to tell them from the slimmer roof rats which have long tails.
Sewer rats are agile climbers and good swimmers which is why they frequent storm drains, underground tunnels, utility lines, sewers and other bodies of water. They can swim both on the surface of water and underwater.3
They can enter a home or property through damaged, loose, or unused drain pipes, cracks in sewer systems or uncapped pipework.
The sewer rat is also great at digging and lives in extensive underground burrows. The entrance to a burrow is usually near an object or structure which provides stability for the section of the burrow nearest to the ground’s surface.
What do they eat and where?
Sewer rats are omnivores, meaning that they will eat both plant and animal matter which is why they often thrive in urban areas where there is an abundance of garbage from which they can forage. They prefer meat scraps when given the option. Sewer rats have strong teeth and powerful jaws which enable them to gnaw wand chew through wood, plastic, drywall and thin metals.4
Are sewer rats harmful?
Yes. Rats pose risks to human health. Coming into direct contact with contaminated water or soil or inhaling aerosolized particles from a rat can lead to Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection; and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome.5
Rats can also spread salmonella bacteria by simply walking across a food preparation surface or foraging in stored foods. Rats also carry fleas and ticks which can spread other diseases to humans.
As with most rodents, sewer rats live in large communities and they reproduce rapidly. A sewer rat population can grow from 2 to 15,000 in just one year.6 For that reason, if you suspect that you have a sewer rat infestation it is important to act quickly. Call an experienced wildlife removal or critter control company near you.
Know these warning signs
Signs of sewer rat infestation include scratching noises, droppings, piles of dirt near drains, sink blockages and foul sewer smells. Sewer rats are wary of new items in their environment, so getting rid of a sewer rat infestation is best left to professional wildlife removal specialists.7
Trusted Wildlife and Rat Removal Services in Maricopa County
Critter Evictors in Scottsdale can help with a wide range of wildlife issues on your property, including rats and other rodents. We start with a comprehensive inspection to identify nests, entry points, and common travel paths. Our rat removal services provide a thorough and effective solution while helping protect your home against future infestations. Call today!
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1, 3. 6 Brown Rat
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_rat
2, 7 Rats in Arizona: Types, Facts, & Tips for Homeowners by Ed Malaker, 10/8/2025
Link: https://homegrail.com/rats-in-arizona/
4 Can Rats Bite Through Steel? The Limits of Their Bite, 11/13/2025
Link: https://scienceinsights.org/can-rats-bite-through-steel-the-limits-of-their-bite/
5 Are Sewer Rats Dangerous to Your Health and Home? 12/11/2025
Link: https://biologyinsights.com/are-sewer-rats-dangerous-to-your-health-and-home/#google_vignette