Controlling
Rats
Recognizing
Rat Infestations
- Droppings
- Fresh gnawing
- Nesting material
- Tracks can
be seen in mud and on dusty surfaces
- Burrows and
runways may be found next to buildings or along fences
Rodent Food
Preference
- High-quality
foods such as fresh grain,
- Bird Seed
- Dog and Cat
Meaty foods
- Meats
- Fruit
- Require 1
fluid ounce of water daily when feeding on dry food.
Rat Abilities
Rat Breeding:
- Rats have
litters of six to 12 young, which are born 21 to 23 days after
mating
- Young rats
are sexually mature in about three months
- Breeding
occurs mostly in spring and fall.
- Average female
has four to six litters per year
- Individuals
usually live 12 to 18 months.
Rodent-Proofing
Build Rodent
Out
- Seal any
openings larger than 1/4 inch to exclude both rats and mice
- Openings
where utilities enter buildings should be sealed tightly with
metal or concrete.
- Doors, windows
and screens should fit tightly. It may be necessary to cover edges
with sheet metal or high quality door sweeps to prevent gnawing.
Trapping
Trapping can
be an effective method of controlling rats, but it requires more
skill and labor than most other methods. It is best to try trapping
first in homes, garages, and other small structures where there
may be only a few rats present.
Advantages
to Trapping
- It permits
the user to view his or her success; and
- It allows
for disposal of trapped rats, thereby eliminating odor problems,
which may occur when poisoning is done within buildings.
What goes
on the trap?
- Peanut butter
- Small piece
of hot dog,
- Bacon
- Pizza tied
securely to the trigger
- Soft sweet
candy
The Trap, Trigger
and Tricks
- Set trigger
lightly so the trap will spring easily
- Leave traps
unset until the bait has been taken at least once to reduce the
chance of rats becoming trap-shy.
- Set traps
close to walls, behind objects, in dark corners and in places
where rat signs or activity are observed.
- Place traps
so rats will pass directly over the trigger when following their
natural course of travel.
- Use enough
traps to make the effort short and decisive.
Alternative
To Traps
Alternative
to traps are glue boards, which catch and hold rats attempting to
cross them in much the same way flypaper catches flies. Keep away
from pets and small childred/babies.
- Place Glue
boards along walls or in other areas where rats travel.
- Electronic
devices. Rats quickly become accustomed to regularly repeated
sounds. Ultrasonic sounds, those above the range of human hearing,
have very limited use because they are directional and do not
penetrate behind objects. They also lose their intensity quickly
with distance. There is little evidence that electronic, sound,
magnetic, or vibration devices of any kind will drive established
rats from buildings or provide adequate control.
- Live animal
traps can be effective; however, pre-baiting is essential for
success
Sanitation
The presence
of garbage and other refuse allows rats to exist in residential
areas. Good sanitation will not eliminate rats under all conditions,
but will make the environment less suitable for them to thrive.
This involves proper storage and handling of food materials and
refuse, and elimination of rodent shelter.
Making Your
Home less Desirable to Rodents
Make Sure:
- Pipes leading
into home are sealed
- Sub area
and attic vents area sealed
- Wood Piles
are away from homes and off the ground
- Telephone
or cable wires leading to home are sealed
- Garage door
seals tightly
- Pet food
is put away nightly
- Chimney and
roof vents are sealed
- Pool or Spa
motors are sealed tightly
- Trees are
not touching roof line
- Fruit is
harvested when ripe, and no fruit is on the ground
- Palm trees
are trimmed
- Water heater
closets are tight
- Wood siding
is not lose and gaps or cracks are sealed
- Storage sheds
close tightly
- Trash cans
seal tightly
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