Rat Control

Signs of Activity

First, find out where rats are active. You probably will not see live or dead rodents, just signs of activity; rats are secretive when people are around. Signs of rodent activity include droppings, gnaw marks, rub marks and runways. Droppings are blunt ended, usually 1/4 to 3/4 inches long and black or gray in color. Rats must gnaw to wear down their teeth. Dark smears or rub marks appear along walls, stairs or behind vertical pipes as rats move through a building. Runways outside appear as two (2) inch clean-swept earth paths. Check for tracks in dust or mud outside; they range from 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long. Rats prefer to burrow outdoors. Burrows are shallow and complex, with several openings into the same system. Fresh burrows will have new diggings in a cone-shaped pattern with few cobwebs or dust. They average around three (3) inches in diameter.

Sources of Food and Water

Pet food, birdseed, dog droppings and garbage are all food sources. Rats seek food near their burrow but will travel indoors if necessary. Water sources are a puddle, tin can of rainwater or a leaking faucet. Rats only need an ounce of food and water each day so all sources must be removed. Store food in metal, rodent-proof containers at least eight (8) inches off the floor and eighteen (18) inches away from the walls. Outside, cover garbage cans tightly; store them at least eighteen (18) inches off the ground (rats are excellent climbers and jumpers) and twelve (12) inches from walls and fences. Clean up after pets each day. Raise bird feeders at least four (4) feet off the ground.

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Killing Rats - Be Careful

The rats will leave as the food is removed. Therefore, it is important to kill them before they find another home. There are two (2) main ways to kill rats: traps and poisons. If you are unsure, hire a licensed, pest control operator. Snap traps are a safe, cheap way to kill rats. Place several traps along runways with the trigger toward the wall. Expand triggers with two (2) inch hardware cloth or cardboard. Traps may be baited with peanut butter, raisins, bacon or canned cat food (fish/meat flavored). There are poisons that an untrained person can legally use. However, misusing chemicals can endanger the health of others and do more harm than good. Rat poisons must only be used as stated on the product label. Read the label and follow directions carefully!

Sources of Shelter

Rats must be denied access to shelter. Seal all holes and openings that are larger than 1/2 inch and within three (3) feet of the ground. Weak mortar joints or holes in masonry walls must be cemented; in old buildings, rats may be able to burrow through weak joints into the crawlspace. Cover the bottoms and edges of doors with sheet metal (24 gauge or greater). Protect windows with 17-gauge hardware cloth. Protect openings around pipes and wires with metal guards. Construct concrete or metal curtains around the building foundation; these must extend at least eight (8) inches above ground, 2-1/2 feet below ground and 1-1/2 feet out from the building. Pour concrete where basements have dirt floors. Look for burrows along building walls, around outbuildings, in dirt basements, in embankments, hedgerows, garbage storage areas, under heavy brush, under concrete slabs, under railroad ties and dog houses, in bush growth, mulch piles, and in uncut weeds and grass. Raise wood and rubbish piles off the ground.

For more information, please call Code Enforcement at (248) 546-2365.

The City of Ferndale, Michigan
300 East Nine Mile Road
Ferndale, Michigan 48220
(248) 546-2525

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