Do you have a rat control problem?

Are you sure it's rats? How do you plan to get rid of them?

• Are you sure you have rats?
• Why are rats in your home a problem?
• How can rats be controlled? 

 

The Problem with Rats

Humans can contract the potentially deadly Hanatavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) just by breathing the airborne virus found in infected rat urine,droppings, and saliva. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention, infected rats can also infect humans with HPS,  Murine Typhus, Rat-Bite Fever, etc.  Read more about rats and disease.

Rats are also very cautious when it comes to new items in their environment, so we have to be a little tricky when we set traps. Read about rat control solutions.

How to Make Sure You Have Rats

Many customers believe they have a rat problem, when actually they have a mouse control problem. The best way to differentiate between mice and rats, is to examine their droppings. Rat droppings tend to be larger, usually 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch in length, while mouse droppings average about 1/4 inch in length. If you think you have a rat problem, please read our rat control suggestions, below. If you have a mouse control problem, please visit our kill mice page.

 

 

  

How to control rats effectively

How to kill the rats you have and make sure more don't take their place

Rat control is a little tricky because they are very cautious. If something new is introduced into their area they will normally stay away from it until they think it is safe and won't cause harm.

NOTE: The Environmental Protection Agency has recently disallowed the sale of certain baits until they can be manufactured in tamper-proof packaging. We apologize for the inconvenience! 

We recommend the T-Rex Snap Traps, the Protecta LP Rodent Station (only available pre-filled), and a careful rodent exclusion plan.  Please click here to view all our rat control products.

When using glueboards or traps, I usually don't expose the glue or set the traps until I notice activity near them. This tells me it is accepted and then we can set the traps or expose the glue and start to get rid of the problem. Mice on the other hand are very curious and will inspect new things quickly so I will  set the trap or the glueboard as soon as I set them out.

 

Rodent Exclusion Plan

Killing the rats you have is only half of the problem. Exclusion is the process of making sure new rats can't get in to roost in your home.  A careful inspection of openings around attic spaces, pier-and-beam foundations, etc. is necessary. Holes can by blocked with 1/4 inch opening wire mesh found at your local hardware store, or metal flashing. Small openings can be blocked with steel wool.  

 

  

RAT RELATED HEALTH HAZARDS & DISEASES

EPA recently made a ruling to not allow certain baits to be sold unless they are in tamper proof packaging. At this time I am trying to find out how I need to proceed with this. I apologize for this inconvenience.

www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/rodenticides/finalriskdecision.htm 

 

Here is information on some of the diseases caused by rats, as gathered from the Center For Disease Control & Prevention http://www.cdc.gov

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States . Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.

Murine Typhus: Murine typhus (caused by infection with R. typhi) occurs worldwide and is transmitted to humans by rat fleas. Flea-infested rats can be found throughout the year in humid tropical environments, but in temperate regions are most common during the warm summer months. Travelers who visit in rat-infested buildings and homes, especially in harbor or riverine environments, can be at risk for exposure to the agent of murine typhus. 

Rat-bite fever (RBF): Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic bacterial illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis that can be acquired through the bite or scratch of a rodent or the ingestion of food or water contaminated with rat feces. 

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium: As its name suggests, it causes a typhoid-like disease in mice. In humans S. Typhimurium does not cause as severe disease as S. Typhi, and is not normally fatal. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea, and generally lasts up to 7 days. Unfortunately, in immunocompromized people, that is the elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, Salmonella infections are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics.

 

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs. 

Eosinophilic Meningitis: Eosinophilic meningitis is an infection of the brain occurring in association with an increase in the number of eosinophils, white blood cells that are associated with infection with worms that penetrate into the body. The organism most commonly causing eosinophilic meningitis is a rat lung worm called angiostrongylus cantonensis. 

 

Check out Big Al the Bug Man's tips for rat control

Rats are a little more cautious when it comes to new items in their area. When you first put out the T-Rex snap trap or the Masterline Rat glueboards, leave the traps closed not set and leave the glueboards together the way they come in the bag for at least 3 to 5 days to lull them into a false sense of security and then SNAP they will be history.

 Big Al’s Tech Tip’s

• Place glueboards along walls where most insects and rodents crawl
• Rodents are mostly blind they travel around by touch so they stay near walls and other objects
• Garage doors are the number one source of entry for insects and rodents so put glueboards on either side of doors
  

Protecta LP bait stations

• Used for perimeter placement for control of rats and mice
• Stop rodents from entering house to begin with
• Secure station so non-target animals can’t get to poison
• Can be glued or tied down for added safety

Glueboards

• Used to catch rats or mice
• Also catches all crawling insects
• No chemical just strong adhesive
• Easy placement and replacement
• Good for monitoring programs to see what and how active insects are

 

Trapper T-rex snap traps

• The better rat snap trap
• Trap can be triggered on floor with your foot for easier placement
• Easy to clean
• Made with strong, quality plastic for long life