| By :
Jamie Simpson
The most common rat found near settlements in North America is the Rattus norvegicus or Norwegian brown rat. Minus the tail, it can grow up to 10 inches long and weigh around 10 oz though larger specimens have been found. Since brown rats make their homes with us, they are a major health concern. Rats can damage your property when they make nests and scavenge for food. These are serious problems but a more pressing concern is their waste. Rat urine and droppings can contaminate our food and water supplies which can cause adverse affects on the immune system. Rats are known to transmit many types of diseases including viral hemorrhagic fever and leptospirosis. A female brown rat can produce 5 litters with 8 - 10 pups every year which is why controlling infestations before they happen is so important. One of the most efficient ways to control these pests is through the use of rat poison. Before you use rat poison, you should determine how the animals are getting into your house. If they have access inside your living spaces, look for the holes and seal them. Rats that occupy your attic, basement or walls most likely came from outside. Carefully inspect the exterior of your house. Make sure any attic and basement ventilation holes are properly screened. Rats are natural climbers. Check where the power, cable or telephone lines come in. Also, make sure to trim back bushes and trees away from your house and roof. Once you have secured your property now you should start laying out rat poison bait traps. There are a variety of rat poisons available and if one is not working you can always spice up the bait with either bacon or peanut butter. Rat poison works effectively in the areas where rats travel back and forth to their nests. To figure out where this is, look for rat droppings. You can also sprinkle baby powder on the floors to figure out their patterns of movement. Rat poison traps should be spaced out about 10 feet apart to maximize effectiveness. Rat poison should always be used cautiously if you have animals or children. Keeping rats out of your home has always been an age old problem. Wherever we have shelter and food, we have rats. To stay healthy and hygienic, their populations must be kept in check. Even when you think you have solved the rat problem, you must remain vigilant. Leave rat poison in the same areas you had a problem and monitor the bait to see if you have any stragglers. There may also be circumstances where the problem can be too much for one person to handle. Large scale infestations made need the services of a professional exterminator.
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