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Rats Unwanted: Four Steps to Prevent and Control Rodent Infestations

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Rats Unwanted: Four Steps to Prevent and Control Rodent Infestations Hantavirus precaution! Deer mice can shed hantavirus in their urine, You can help prevent rodent problems in your RATS which can be fatal to people. Allow buildings, neighborhood. In King County it is the sheds, or homes that have been closed up to air out for 30 minutes before cleaning. responsibility of property owners to prevent conditions on their property that provide a UNWANTED home or food source for rats. You can do this 1. Wear latex or rubber gloves and a dust by maintaining your property in a manner mask while cleaning. that is not attractive to rodents. 2. Mix a solution of 1 cup bleach to 10 cups After food sources and nesting water or use a household disinfectant. places have been removed and 3. Don’t vacuum, sweep, or dry dust areas rats have been eliminated, your when cleaning. This disturbs dried rodent property should be maintained so urine and feces that may contain harmful that the rats will not return. bacteria or viruses. 4. Wet down all contaminated areas, dead rodents, droppings and nesting areas with a disinfectant before cleaning. Allow the disinfectant to set for 10 minutes. Report rat problems to Public Health. 5. Disinfect counter tops, cabinets, drawers, Call 206-263-9566 or online at floors and baseboards. www.kingcounty.gov/rats 6. Steam clean carpets, rugs, and upholstered King County rodent regulations: furniture. Title 8 Zoonotic Disease Prevention 7. Dispose of dead rodents and contaminated www.kingcounty.gov/boh items by double-bagging in plastic bags Information about diseases from rodents and placing in your garbage can outside. www.kingcounty.gov/pocket-pets 8. Wash clothes and bedding with detergent and hot water. Set the dryer on high. 9. When you are done, disinfect or throw away the gloves you used. Wash your hands or shower with soap and hot water. Making & Using a Disinfectant Solution Public Health—Seattle & King County Mix a solution of 1 cup Environmental Health Services bleach to 10 cups of water. Rodent Prevention Program Apply generously to the 401 5th Ave. Suite 1100 Seattle, WA 98104 contaminated area and allow to set for 10 minutes before cleaning. 206-263-9566 Available in Alternate Formats October 2018 Rats eat everything! Trapping and poisoning are two effective ways Don’t make your yard a nesting zone for Rats climb, jump and swim. If a squirrel can to exterminate rodents. Some rodent problems rodents. Don’t provide them with a place to climb it - a rat can climb it. may be too difficult to control on your own and live and raise their young. Rats gnaw through plastic, wood, soft metals, you may need to hire a licensed pest control electrical wires (sometimes causing fires) and operator. You can find them in the yellow pages Rats will nest in: even cinderblock and brick. of the telephone directory under “Pest Control Outdoor piles of Services”. garbage and junk Rats squeeze into tiny spaces, nest where it is dark and warm and can produce a litter of Trapping Under wood piles pups (babies) every 3 to 4 weeks! or lumber. Stack Trapping is the preferred wood piles 18 method of killing rats inches off the ground indoors. Wooden snap traps are inexpensive Under blackberry bushes, shrubs, vines and and effective. Peanut in tall grasses that are not trimmed or cut back butter usually works as In cars, appliances, furniture and carpet Actual size hole Actual size hole a bait. Set the trap and a rat can enter a mouse can enter place it in an area with the most rodent activity, that has been put outside and is no longer should be placed about 3 inches from a wall. being used The trigger should face the wall. The traps may In holes under buildings be placed in a box with openings on both ends to protect children and pets. Rodents will eat anything. To Poisoning get rid of rats you must get rid Poisoned rodents may die in floors and walls of their food. causing an odor. Poisons are not recommended Small openings in homes, buildings Common outdoor food sources for use inside homes or buildings. Rat poison for or sheds must be sealed to include: bird food (all varieties), use outdoors is available from many hardware prevent rodents from entering. squirrel food, pet food, food waste in open stores and can also be purchased from some home compost bins, fallen fruit from fruit trees, professional pest control services and at stores Check for openings where that specialize in pest control products. pipes or wires enter the blackberries, garbage, grass seed and pet building, under eaves, and feces. around foundations, doors and windows. Rat poison should What do rats eat when they get inside? always be used in Use cement, ¼ inch hardware cloth, wire mesh, or steel wool to seal openings. The same foods we do. How we store foods in secured bait station our own home is important to preventing rats. to keep it away from Crawl spaces and attics must be sealed to If rats and mice are getting into your home children and pets. prevent rodent access. store foods that are usually packaged in Only use it according Rodents often enter through open doors, cardboard boxes or plastic bags in durable to the directions on windows or though pet doors. Install kick containers! the label. plates to prevent access under doors. Bait station or “Bait box” .
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