Common rat species in the Philippines
Norway Rat or Brown Rat
Rattus Norvegicus
Appearance: Bristly brown fur, with black hairs dispersed throughout
Size: Up to 20 inches
This is one of the largest rat species commonly found in urban areas, usually with outdoor burrows. They frequent drains or canals and will venture inside commercial factories, buildings or homes for food. This rat is considered to be a medically important species because it hosts many diseases (like leptospirosis), and can carry fleas.
Oriental house Rat
Rattus tanezumi
Appearance: Has orange hair on the front edge of its ears, with long black guard hairs
Size: Up to 9 inches
This species is known to be a very widespread and destructive rodent pest indoors and outdoors. It is also a medically important pest as it is known to be a host to many zoonotic diseases.
Malaysian field Rat
Rattus tiomanicus
Appearance: Grizzled olive-brown with scattered medium-length black guard hairs, and the underparts are whitish.
Size: Up to 13 inches
This species is only reported in Palawan, but can be a pest as their normal forested and usual habitats are disturbed by human developments.
Ricefield Rat
Rattus argentiventer
Appearance: Yellowish brown in color with a silver belly
Size: Up to 1 foot
This rat species is typically found in most agricultural settings, and has been reported to be found in Laguna, Mindoro, and Mindanao.
Polynesian Rat
Rattus exulans
Appearance: Dark brown upper parts and stiff, spine-like hairs
Size: Up to 9 inches
This species is found in all parts of the Philippines, and usually lives in shrubs and grasslands.
House Mouse
Mus musculus
Appearance: Gray, light brown to black in color with large, rounded ears
Size: Up to 7 inches
This is the smallest, most invasive pest mouse found in the Philippines due to its widespread presence. Mice are not usually deterred by human activity in any urban or rural setting. Their area of activity is fairly small at 10 square meters, but can breed in large numbers given the available food and harbourage.
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Why rodent management is a must
Disease carriers
They can be a host to several diseases (like leptospirosis), bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms
Transmit veterinary diseases
Rats can transmit veterinary diseases to livestock, causing costly death of chicken and swine
Contaminates with excretions
Rats contaminate about ten times of the food they eat with their excretions and hair.
Financial losses
For both production businesses and farms, rats can cause serious financial losses.
Parasite carriers
They host parasites like plague-carrying fleas, worms, etc. that can cause sickness or death
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Sources
PCAP Training, 2020
Dr. I. Lit, Jr.
Urban Pest Control, A Practitioner's Guide
P. Dhang
Handbook of Pest Control
A. Mallis