​Control Management

Rodent proofing is a vital part of a complete rodent control program. The objective is to close all present and potential openings which may serve as entries for rats and mice. This means changing building details to prevent rats and mice from entering. Poor sanitation and the presence of rubbish allows rats to exist in residential areas. Good sanitation will effectively limit the number of rats that can survive in and around the home. This involves good housekeeping, proper storage and handling of food materials and refuse and elimination of rodent harborage (shelter).
​
To reduce potential rat problems on farms where food grains are handled and stored, or where livestock are housed and fed, it is difficult to remove all food that rats can use. In such situations, paying particular attention to removing shelter that rats can use for hiding, resting, and nesting is valuable in reducing rat numbers. Warehouses, grain mills, and silos are especially vulnerable to rodent infestation. Store bulk foods in rodent-proof buildings, rooms, or containers whenever possible. Stack sacked food on pallets with adequate space left around and under stored articles to allow inspection for signs of rats.

Good sanitary practices will not eliminate rats under all conditions, but will make the environment less suitable for them to thrive. Using Poison Baits  Rodenticides are poisons that kill rodents. They are available as either non-anticoagulants or as anticoagulants. The non-anticoagulants cause death either via the nervous system or via the release of calcium into the bloodstream. Anticoagulants cause death as a result of internal bleeding, which occurs as the animal's blood loses its clotting ability and capillaries are destroyed. The active ingredients are used at low levels, so bait shyness does not occur when using properly formulated baits.

Most of these baits kill rats only after they are fed on for a number of days. The exceptions are brodifacoum or bromadiolone, which are capable of causing death after a single feeding. However, rats do not die for several days. When anticoagulant baits are used, fresh bait must be made available to rats continuously as long as feeding occurs. Depending on the number of rats, this may require up to three weeks.