How To Kill and Get Rid Of Rats

Norway and Roof Rat Eradication and Disease Facts

Rats and Mice have been responsible for or implicated in the spread of various diseases to people and domestic animals for years. Today however, because ofimprovements in sanitation, effective drugs, and rodent and insect control programs, the disease threat from rodents is not as significant as it once was. But because of the habits of rodents traveling in sewers, garbage, etc., there are still cases of human and animal diseases being transmitted and there is also the constant potential of disease outbreaks in cities where rats and mice live in close proximity to people. However small the threat may be, it is a potential that always must be kept in mind.

Some of the more common diseases transmitted by roof and norway rats are:

1. Plague - which is spread from rats to people by the oriental rat flea.
2. Murine Typhus - caused by a bacterial organism which is transmitted from infected rats to people also by the oriental rat flea.
3. Rickettsial pox - also caused by a bacterial organism is transmitted by mites from mice to people. Mainly in areas of New York City and several New England Cities.
4. Salmonellosis (acute food poisoning) - is caused by a bacterium which can thrive in sewers, live stock facilities, septic tanks, cesspools, garbage, andother similar environments. It is spread mainly by fecal droppings by rats and mice.
5. Rat Bite Fever - is caused by a bacterium which can live in the saliva of both rats and mice. It has flu like symptoms that can last for days and is sometimes fatal.
6. Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, trichinosis, typhoid, dysentery as well as others.

Signs of Roof and Norway Rat Infestation

Roof Rats and Norway Rats almost always leave signs that can lead to their discovery. The signs to look for are:

1. Droppings or feces (critical)
2. Burrows and trails
3. Runways
4. Grease marks or rub marks
5. Urine Stains (Urine glows with a black light)
6. Live or dead rodents
7. Rodent sounds or scampering around
8. Rodent odors (especially mice)

Most over the counter baits sold at hardware stores and retailers do not contain the same attractants or active ingredients as professional use baits. Although the packaging and advertising may appear convincing, millions of dollars are wasted by consumers annually on over the counter rodent bait products that simply do not work. For this reason, epestsupply is committed to offering only the finest Professional Quality rat and mouse control and bait products at the lowest possible price. You can depend on epestsupply and our commitment.

Rat Control By Species

There are 3 main species of rats and mice that are of significance in the United States. They are the Roof Rat or tree Rat, the Norway Rat or ground rat, and the House Mouse. Of course there are lots of other species such as field mice, field rats, wharf rats, sewer rats, etc.. but the Roof Rats and Norway Rats and the House Mouse are the ones of primary importance. They are the species of commensal rodents that homeowners and building owners deal with 90% of the time.

Roof Rats

Roof Rat

Body is 6-8 inches long
sleek, agile and black, gray or white
large ears, long tail

Roof rats (Rattus rattus), sometimes called black rats, are slightly smaller than Norway rats. Unlike Norway rats,their tails are longer than their heads and bodies combined. Roof rats are very agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in shrubs,trees, and dense vegetation such as ivy. In buildings, they are most often found in enclosed or elevated spaces in attics, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets. The roof rat has a more limited range than the Norway rat, preferring ocean-influenced, warmer climates. In areas where the roof rat habitats, the Norway rat may also be present. If you are unsure of the species, look for rats at night with a strong flashlight or trap a few.

Roof rats eat a wide variety of foods, but their food preferences are primarily fruits, nuts, berries, slugs, and snails. Roof rats are especially fond of avocados and citrus and often eat fruit that is still on the tree. When feeding on a mature orange, they make a small hole through which they completely remove the contents of the fruit, leaving only the hollowed out rind hanging on the tree. The rind of a lemon is often eaten, leaving the flesh of the sour fruit still hanging. Their favorite habitats are attics, trees, and overgrown shrubbery or vines. Residential or industrial areas with mature landscaping provide good habitat, as does riparian vegetation of riverbanks and streams. Roof rats prefer to nest in locations off the ground and rarely dig burrows for living quarters if off-the-ground sites exist.

Roof rats routinely travel up to 300 feet for food. They may live in the landscaping of one residence and feed at another. They can often be seen at night running along overhead utility lines or fence tops. They have an excellent sense of balance and use their long tails for balance while traveling along overhead utility lines. They move faster than Norway rats and are very agile climbers, which enables them to quickly escape predators. They may live in trees or in attics and climb down to a food source. The average number of litters a female roof rat has per year depends on many factors, but generally is three to five with from five to eight young in each litter.

Norway Rats

Norway Rat

Body is 8-10 inches long
Fat, slow and mostly brown to gray
small ears, short tail

Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), sometimes called brown or sewer rats, are stocky burrowing rodents that are larger than roof rats. Their burrows are found along building foundations, beneath rubbish or woodpiles, and in moist areas in and around gardens and fields. Nests may be lined with shredded paper, cloth, or other fibrous material. When Norway rats invade buildings, they usually remain in the basement or ground floor. The Norway rat occurs throughout the 48 contiguous United States. Generally it is founds at lower elevations but may occur wherever people live.

Norway rats eat a wide variety of foods but mostly prefer cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts, and some fruits. When searching for food and water, Norway rats usually travel an area of about 100 to 150 feet in diameter; seldom do they travel any further than 300 feet from their burrows or nests. The average female Norway rat has four to six litters per year and may successfully wean 20 or more offspring annually.

Norway rats may undermine building foundations and slabs with their burrowing activities. They may also gnaw on all types of materials, including soft metals such as copper and lead as well as plastic and wood. If roof rats are living in the attic of a residence, they can cause considerable damage with their gnawing and nest-building activities. They also damage garden crops and ornamental plants.

How To Kill Rats

In your personal battle against rodents such as rats and mice, it is important to remember that you are dealing with an animal that is capable of crawling, climbing, and chewing it's way into your home or business. They can flatten themselves out and squeeze through the smallest of openings, even under closeddoors. If the hole is not big enough, they can easily chew it or gnaw it to a large enough size so that they can get through. Generally, if a rodent can squeeze it's head through an opening, (most rodents heads are the size of a quarter or smaller), it will eventually get through. This is why your strategy for rat or mice control always starts on the outside of the structure.

Outdoor Rat Control Eradication and Exclusion Methods

The first thing to do is to make sure that there are no holes that the rodents can get through. Check all plumbing and electrical entrances, doors, folding garage doors, etc. Also check behind gutters, around chimney and plumbing stack flashing, and in the case of raised or pier and beam homes, make sure that they cannot get access under the foundation or skirting or through screened vents. The point is that any hole on the outside of the house can give rats or mice entrance. If the hole is not big enough, the rats or mice will gnaw it to make it bigger. Rats must constantly gnaw and sharpen their teeth to keep them filed down. Rats teeth grow an average of 7 inches per year. This is why they constantly gnaw and chew.

Outside rodent "Exclusion"is very simple in most cases. The EcoSafe Predator Barrier Scent Stick is a speedstick for applying predator urines that repel rats, mice, squirrels, even bats. These predator urines create a natural barrier that simply scares away rodents. This natural barrier is completely safe around pets, and other non-target animals. Simply swipe the Predator Stick around holes, openings, door jambs and other areas where mice can gain entry. Its also very effective in attics, store rooms, garages and other similar areas. Where this product excels the most however is on tires of cars, trucks, buses, boat trailers, motor homes, etc, to keep the rats and mice from crawling up them and to help prevent damage to wires, electrical harnesses, avionics, etc.

Read more about the the EcoSafe Predator Barrier Scent Stick by clicking here.

Outside rodent "Exclusion"is very simple in most cases, however most pest control companies may charge upwards of several hundred dollars for this service. Small holes in need of repair can easily be patched with Stuffit Copper Wool. Stuffit Copper Wool works better than steel wool because of the way that it is woven. Because of the weaving pattern, the Stuffit Copper Wool tends to get caught in the rodents teeth making it hard for them to chew through or remove. The StuffitCopper Wool does not rust so rust stains on brick or wood siding are not a concern as it is with regular steel wool. A small amount of Stuffit Copper Wool placed in weep holes, pipe entrances, etc. that are smaller than a dime will help to keep rodents out. Larger holes need to be fixed or repaired properly with quality building materials. You may wish to consult a building contractor for this service.

It is also very important to make sure that tree limbs, shrubs, etc, do not overhang the structure and are trimmed back at least 5 feet. Overhanging tree limbs can provide relatively easy access to the rooftop - especially for roof rats which are capable of jumping several feet.

Any aerial electrical or utility lines that enter the structure should be rodent proofed. This is easily accomplished by placing Crisco, Bearing lube or some other thick greasy slippery substance on the line. Special caution should be used when applying anything to electrical lines or lines that contain any voltage or electrical current. Special wraps can also be placed onto utility lines that are cut and made from aluminum rolls available at any hardwarestore. A paper plate can be used as a template and traced onto the aluminum. Shears can then be used to cut and fashion the aluminum in such a way that it can be fastened onto the wire or cable to make a on the wire that the rodents cannot get around. You may wish to contact your local electrical or utility company prior to making such applications.

Outside protected feeding stations such as the EZ Klean Bait Station or the Protecta Bait Station can be placed against the sides of the home or building at 30 - 50 foot intervals. Use Contrac or Final rodenticides outside. Final Rodent Bait and Contrac All Weather Blox are a wax based outdoor bait that kills rodents dead with one feeding, unlike DCON and other baits that require multiple feedings. It is very toxic, that is the reason it is only used outdoors in protected feeding stations such as the Protecta or Ez Clean. Protecta's are easily placed behind shrubs, ornamental plants, etc, or openly placed along foundation walls. They provide the rodents exactly what they are looking for, food and shelter - hopefully before they find their way into your home. Outside rodent bait stations are commonly used around commercial buildings, restaurants, food processing plants, etc. and work extremely well in the residential environment.

If you don't like the looks of the Protecta Bait Station, then check out the Rat Rock Rodent Station. The Rat Rock looks like a rock, but is actually a well designed sturdy rat feeding station. Rat Rocks are very popular at restaurants, amusement parks and other places where a rodent feeding station would be an eyesore.

Before using any outdoor bait station, make sure that there are not competing food sources for the rodents. Garbage, pet food, animal feed, etc, are much more acceptable to rodents than any rodent bait. Even though rats and mice will eat almost anything, the effectiveness of any outdoor baiting program depends on sanitation practices. If sanitation practices are an issue, the effectiveness of your baiting program will be minimal. In other words, if the outside areas contain garbage, pet food, animal feed, etc, the rats or mice usually will not eat the bait. Clean it up first, and your program will be successful.

Indoor Rat Control and Eradication Methods

After the outside environment has been cleaned up, sealed up and outdoor bait stations have been used, inside control can begin. The idea is that once the outside environment has been repaired and cleaned up, hopefully, the rodents will unable to gain entrance to the home or building and will be happy either remaining outside, until they consume the outside bait, or they will be trapped inside.

Do Not Use Rat Baits Indoors ! - We do not recommend using rat baits or rodenticides indoors. If a rodent eats a rodenticide indoors, unless it can find its way out of the structure before the effects of the rodenticide set in - usually 3 to 5 days, it will die indoors. There is no such thing as a rodenticide or a rat bait that causes the rodent to become thirsty and look for water. There is also no such thing as a rodenticide that causes the rodents body to not smell or to dry out during the rotting phase. These "white lies" are used by exterminators and other rodent control novices because tossing rat bait into an attic is easy and inexpensive.

A rodent that eats a rodenticide dies because of internal hemorraging. All rodent baits currently on the market work by thinning the rodents blood or anticoagulation. If you use a rodenticide indoors and the rodent dies indoors, be prepared for a period of several weeks to months in which pungent foul odors wills linger in the air. A rotting animal carcass usually bloats and the resulting body fluids will seep out and cause the odors. Flies and other insects can be attracted to the rotting rodent carcass resulting in new problems. The bottom line ? Don't use rodenticides indoors because you don't want to spend the money on a decent trap. You will pay down the road, especially if the rodent dies in an unreachable area of your attic or wall and cannot be removed.

When mice trapping indoors, our #1 pick is the Ketchall Mouse Trap. The Ketchall Mouse Trap is a repeating mouse trap that catches up to 15 mice in 1 setting. Upon entering the side of the Ketchall, the rodent steps on a trigger that causes a large door to revolve around and toss the mouse into the side chamber where the air holes are located. The mouse or mice depending on how many you catch can then be let go or disposed of. The Ketchall Mouse Trap is recommend by PETA because it is a live trap. The Ketchall Mouse Trap is perfect for use around children and pets and will capture mice, field mice and smaller field rats and immature rats. The Ketchall will not catch large roof rats or norway rats.

Other types of traps are available such as Bell Trapper T Rex Rat Trap. Snap traps, live traps, etc, can be very effective and capturing rats and mice. However these types of traps need to be baited with a professional rat and mouse lure such as Pro Pest Rat and Mouse Lure and Provoke Pro Mouse Attractant. Using peanut butter or cheese on snap traps may work sometimes, but using a professional quality lure that is laboratory tested will yield much better results. If you are serious about using snap traps, then get a professional quality rat and mouse lure. These products have years of development and will improve the efficiency of your catch by 75%.

Glue Boards such as the Trapper Glue Board Trap can also be used indoors to capture mice and rats. The Trapper Glue Board is a plastic pan of glue about 1/4" thick. When the rodent steps onto the glue trap it becomes lodged in the glue base unable to get away. Care should be taken to remove rats or mice that may still be alive but trapped on a glue board. Glue boards are inexpensive but have to be replaced with each catch. Glue boards are not recommended by PETA because it is thought that they cause a cruel death to the rodent. What happens is that the rodent tries desperately to get loose from the glue board and as a result becomes covered in glue usually suffocating. Our opinion on glue boards is that they are a tool to control rodents as should be viewed as such. They are effective and are absolutely recommended over rodenticides indoors. Pro Pest Rat and Mouse Lure and Provoke Pro Mouse Attractant can be applied to the middle of glue traps for much better results.

If you just can't resist using rodenticides indoors - and the rodent dies and decaying rotting odors are a problem, then try using EcoFresh Instant Odor Neutralizer sprayed onto the effected area. If you can find the carcass, remove it, and then spray the remaining stains with EcoFresh. If you can't find the odor then you will have to resort to using aerosol fragrances such as the Micro spray. The trick is to find the rodent carcass. If you can't find it, because it is unreachable in the attic or a wall void, then use the Micro spray and live with it until the rodent carcass completely dehydrates in several weeks to months. Next time learn the lesson of not using rodenticides indoors and use a trap. We carry a complete line of deodorizers designed to rid your home or business of odors.

The bottom line on rodent control with rats or mice is that you have to stop them from getting in by sealing up any holes or cracks where they can find entry into the structure. Use outdoor bait stations to give them what they are looking for (food) by using a rodenticide outdoors. Indoors, trap them using a snap trap (Trapper T Rex) or a live trap (Ketchall).

Fly Control And Odor Control Caused By Dead Rats And Mice

Don't place rodent bait of any kind in an area accessible to children or pets. Rodent bait used indoors may result in rodents dying inside walls or in attics in which they are unremovable. This could result in strong odors resulting from the decaying carcass which could persist for several weeks until the carcass dehydrates.

If rodents have died inside your walls and flies have appeared, then you will need to control them using our fly control products. Hide Flies and Bottle Flies are very common where dead animals are found. They are attracted by the foul rotting odors. They will lay eggs in the decaying rodents carcass with a resulting infestation of flies appearing within days.

Odor Control Caused by Dead Rats

Strong rancid odors caused by dead rats or mice can be controlled with EcoSafe ZR1 Odor Neutralizer. EcoSafe ZR1 works by attacking the odor molecules and neutralizing them on contact. It also continues absorbing odors for several hours. EcoSafe ZR1 is the best odor neutralizer on the market, is safe and contains naturally derived ingredients. It can be sprayed into the air and also into air conditioning ducts and returns to eliminate odors that are airborne. EcoSafe also makes Odor Absorber Bags that can be placed in closets, attics, sub areas and also into air conditioning ducts and returns. EcoFresh Odor Absorber Pouches simply absorb the odor and trap it using naturally occurring zeolites and minerals. These pouches come in 4 oz sizes for walls voids where dead rats may be found but cannot be easily removed. Use (1) 4 oz pouch for every 3' x 3' area or (1) 16 oz pouch for 10' x 10' areas.

Rat Sorb is an industry favorite and used to control strong odors also. It works by "making the bad smell better". While Rat Sorb is not an odor neutralizer, it does an effective job of masking dead rat odors. It is used by saturating a cotton ball or rag and placing it whereever the odors are strongest. Rat Sorb soaked cotton balls can be placed inside of air conditioning ducts, air returns, etc. They can also be hung with a a paper clip from air conditioning vents, etc.

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