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Rats are some of the most troublesome and damaging rodents. They eat and contaminate food, garden produce, and fruit
as well as transmit diseases to humans and pets. Manage them by
removing food and shelter, eliminating entryways into buildings,
and trapping.
Indications of a rat infestation
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- Rat droppings in garages, storage buildings, attics, or around
pet food containers.
- Rodent feeding damage on fruit/nuts in or falling from trees
in your yard.
- Rat nests behind boxes, in drawers in the garage, or in woodpiles.
- Burrows beneath the garbage can, compost pile, or among garden
plants.
- Rats traveling along utility lines or on fence tops at dusk.
Identify the rat: Is it a roof rat or a Norway rat?
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- Norway rats are stocky rats that build burrows along building
foundations, beneath rubbish, or in woodpiles. Indoors they tend
to remain in basements or on the ground floor.
- Roof rats are agile climbers with a tail that is longer than
their head and body. They usually live and nest above ground
in shrubs, trees, or dense vegetation. Indoors they favor attic
spaces, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets.
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To get rid of rats, remove food, water, and shelter and seal
entryways!
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- Feed pets only the amount of food they will eat at a single
feeding.
- Keep garbage, trash, and garden debris in receptacles with
tight-fitting lids.
- Thin dense vegetation and create at least a 2-ft. space between shrubs
and between shrubs and buildings.
- Thin or remove climbing hedges from buildings.
- Remove tree limbs that are within 3 ft. of a roof.
- Seal all crack and openings in the house’s foundation that are larger
than 1/4 inch.
- Make sure doors, windows, and screens fit tightly.
Remove rats from the home by trapping
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- Snap traps are the safest, most effective and economical way to trap rats.
- For Norway rats, place traps close to walls, behind objects, in dark corners, and in places where rat droppings have been found.
- For roof rats, place traps in off-the-ground locations such as on ledges, shelves, branches, fences, pipes, or overhead beams.
- Avoid using baits indoors because dead rats create bad odors.
- Seal buildings before baiting outdoors to prevent poisoned rats
from coming indoors to die.
- Place baits in tamper-proof bait stations and secure them from children
and pets.
- All rodent baits are toxic to pets.
Minimize the use of pesticides that pollute our waterways. Use nonchemical alternatives or less toxic pesticide products whenever possible. Read product labels carefully and follow instructions on proper use, storage, and disposal. |
