Salt Lake Valley Health Department

Sanitation and Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Rats

How can I prevent rats?

Provide adequate, leak-proof, non-absorbent containers with tight fitting lids for garbage storage. Always store containers inaccessible to rats.
Pile lumber, firewood, and other outside storage items at least 18 inches above ground. The common rats of this area nest underground beneath objects. Be aware that decks provide excellent rodent harborage.
Store all animal feed and human food stuffs in rodent proof containers or in rat-stopped building.
Remove all accumulations of garbage, trash, refuse, inoperable vehicles, and fallen fruit from your property. This will also discourage rats from living on your property.
Close all openings of your home, garage, and storage sheds to prevent rats from gaining access.
Trim lower limbs and shrubs up 18 inches.
When appropriate, use poison wisely or contact a local licensed pest control examiner.

How far can rats travel?

They travel approximately 300 feet to obtain food, water, and shelter.

How fast do rats reproduce?

Rats average 8 to 10 young per litter and average 5-6 litters per year. In one year, one pair of rats will produce 50-70 offspring that will reach maturity and bear young.

How can I get rid of rats?

Traps
Rats can be trapped, however, they easily become “trap shy”; they avoid new things in Trap their environment and they learn quickly to avoid traps. However, if you choose to use a trap, they can be baited with peanut butter, bacon, rolled oats, etc. Place the trap where you have seen or suspect the rat runs, put the bait pan next to and at a right angle to the wall, so the rat will come into contact with the “trigger” even though it is not after the bait, this will improve the trapping success. Many traps will kill the rat, if not, it will be your responsibility to do so.

Poisoning
Poisoning rats is a very effective way to reduce the rat population in your area. All poisoning must be conducted legally, with care and according to the recommendations on the poison label and inserts. It is suggested that all baits be placed in a tamper-proof “bait box” which allows entry by rats, but not cats, dogs, wild birds, or children. The bait boxes should be firmly attached to a wall or the ground to prevent accidental spillage of the bait.

There are many legal rat poisons available on the market; however, the best bait is the one the rats will eat. Don’t hesitate to change baits. Poisons are attainable through Farm Supply stores. Look under “Farm Supplies” in yellow pages for a listing of these stores.

If your dog or cat eats a poisoned rat, it may make them sick or cause death. Just biting into the rat is not likely to cause a problem, but pet owners should contact their veterinarian for more information.

Rat Proofing Your Home
Inside your home look for and seal up all gaps and holes that are greater than or equal to 1/2 inch:

Underneath, behind, and inside kitchen cabinets
Inside closets
Around floor air vents
Around dryer vents
Around fireplaces
Around windows and doors
Behind appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, and stoves
Around pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks
Around all electrical, water, gas, and sewer lines
Beneath or behind hot water heaters, radiators, and furnaces and around their pipes that enter the home.

Outside your home look for and seal up:

All gaps and holes around windows and doors
Between the foundation of the home and the ground
Under doors without weather stripping
Around electrical, cable, water, gas, and sewer lines
Around the roof, eaves, gables, and soffits
Unscreened attic vents and crawlspace vents

Special consideration for Mobile Homes

Seal up holes and gaps:

In the skirting and trim
Between the trim and metal siding
Around utility lines, pipes, and ducts
Around roof vents,
Around the trailer tongue

Sealing holes in your home

Cement, lath screen, lath metal, wire screening, [make sure you don’t seal openings needed for ventilation, cover with hardware cloth <1/2 inch grate size] or steel wool may be used to patch holes. Caulk must be administered when using steel wool to prevent the rat from pushing the material through the hole. Caulk or expanding foam can be used to reinforce any repairs where lath metal and hardware cloth are the primary materials. Caulk or expanding foam used alone are usually not sufficient to prevent rat intrusion. If rat burrows are found under foundation or trailer skirting, construct a barrier around the foundation using 14 inch wide, < 1/2 inch mesh, 16-19 gauge hardware cloth. Bend the hardware cloth lengthwise into a right angle with two sides of approximately 7 inches. Secure one side of the hardware cloth tightly to the building side. The other side should be buried at least 2 inches below ground level and extend from the wall

Disposal

Do NOT pick up a dead rat with your hands!! Use a shovel or other tool to pick up the dead rat and place in a plastic bag, tie tightly, double bag, and deposit it in your garbage can for routine pick up

I think my neighbor is creating a rat infestation. What can be done?

For additional information, contact the Salt Lake Valley Health Department at (801) 313-6641.