Rats
are active at night Photo Credits: Chuck Dickerson
Sign
Rat
gnaw marks Description: Rats can easily gnaw through wood.
Damage
Damage eat and contaminate stored grains, seeds, pet foods; gnaw
wiring, structures; poultry; disease hazard
Solutions
Your objective should be to determine rodent populations by
looking for droppings, tracks, and gnawings or by baiting.
Simultaneously set control techniques, rodent-proof and sanitize areas,
reducing or eliminating potential rat foods and water.
Habitat Modification
Remove food and water sources, such as bird feeders and dripping
faucets. Store potential foods in plastic containers with tight
fitting lids or on pallets.
Secure buildings to prevent rat entry.
copper
"wool" Description: A handy non-rusting material used to
rodent-proof where pipes enter buildings. It isn't rodent proof but
it can be used to help fill cracks and crevices to reduce the ease of
rodent entry.
Repellents
Sonic devices have not been proven as long-term
repellents.
Dogs and cats have limited value.
Rats quickly adapt to novel sounds so don't bother.
Trapping
Snap traps with regular or expanded triggers are effective. follow up sanitation & rodent proofing
Multiple catch rat traps are less effective as rats don't
exhibit the same characteristics as mice.
Cage traps can work on rats but are more costly and time
consuming.
rat
cage trap Description: shows an option to the snap trap Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Toxicant
Maintain a continuous supply of anticoagulant bait for
15 days or as directed by the label. Place anticoagulant or other
baits in stations. Anticoagulants might include the
following active ingredients: brodifacoum, bromadiolone,
chlorophacinone, diphacinone, pindone, warfarin. Non-anticoagulants
might include bromethalin, cholecalciferol.
Rat
gnaw marks
copper
"wool"
rat
cage trap