Rats

 

Rats are Gross. How do I get rid of them?

The best way to combat rats is prevention, be proactive remove food and shelter resources this will help prevent them from taking up residents in your home or yard. If rodents are a current problem at your house use snap and/or electric traps to remove them. Even after you remove rodents you need to continue to Clean Up and Seal Up. Remember removing food and shelter is your first line of defense, in preventing the return of rodents.

Please do not use anticoagulant poisons to control for rodents. Research has found that anticoagulant poisons kill more than the rodent that is a nuisance in your yard or house. Anticoagulant poisons have been detected in several non-target animal species; bobcats, coyotes, mountain lions, fox, hawks and owls throughout Ventura County and Los Angeles County. Anticoagulant poisons can also have unexpected consequences when your pets and even children are exposed to it.

Recommended rodent control without using Anticoagulant Poisons

• Traps and repellents – use snap traps, electric traps, or ultrasonic repellents
• Owl box – encourage natural predator to eat rats. Put up an owl box only if no anticoagulant rodenticides are used in the neighborhood or owl could die from secondary poisoning from a neighbors' poison.*
• Clean up and seal up home and yard

Take Action

Rookie Changes

1. Clean up and seal up domestic animal food, dog, chicken, horse etc.
2. Remove bird feeders- rats and squirrels love bird seed
3. Clean up and seal up trash
4. Clean BBQ after using
5. Seal up holes and cracks into house, attic, crawl space, garage, sheds, etc.

Rock Star Changes

1. Prevent access to vegetable gardens
2. Prevent rodent access to fruit and nut trees – make tree collar out of metal, two feet high and secure collar around tree truck about 6 feet off the ground
3. Clean up wood/brush/junk piles – preventing access to shelter
4. Remove thick vegetation specifically ivy – instead plant native California sunflower, sage bushes, elderberry, or red apple succulent.
5. Remove tree limbs within three feet from roof

*If you’re rodent problem is too big for you to control, contact a pest-control company that uses sustainable practices. Pest control companies that practice Integrated Pest Management should be able to help you get to the root of the problem; seal up holes and trap rodents without the use of poisons.

Other ways to participate

Share with others what techniques have worked and what does not (posting not sure how)
Ask neighbors to stop the use of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Poisons
Participate in Local Citizen Science
Track Wildlife Sightings

Links

The Humane Society
Earth Friendly Management
Urban Carnivores
Raptors Are The Solution (RATS)