Rats behave predictably. They like to live where people live and they can thrive on just one ounce of food and water per day.
Rodent control in Royal Oak is everyone’s responsibility. Good house keeping practices, which eliminate food supply and destroy shelter needed by rats to survive, are the best defense when it comes to rat-proofing our neighborhoods.
There is no magic to rodent prevention and control. Residents can win the war against rodents by using a variety of common sense techniques.
Use rodent-proof garbage cans with tight fitting lids to eliminate food supply.
Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
Clean up pet droppings daily.
Don’t feed wildlife. If you have a birdfeeder, it must be 48-inches above ground level. It should be kept clean and tidy and never be overfilled.
Remove junk trash and tall vegetation that rats use for shelter. Trim weeds and brush and keep grass short (3-inches or less) to minimize cover and food sources.
All building materials, lumber, boxes, firewood and similar items should be stored either on rat-proof paved areas or
stacked 18-inches above the ground.
Screen dumpster drainage holes with hardware cloth.
LOOK FOR THESE COMMON PHYSICAL SIGNS OF RODENT INVESTATION:
Runways: Rodents memorize their territory through physical memory and use the same paths again and again. They
prefer to move along objects. Following a run may lead may trace to a rat’s shelter.
Droppings: Rat droppings are thin, black and less than 3/4-inch in length.
Sightings: Because rodents are primarily nocturnal, daytime rodent sightings may indicate a significant population.
Urine/Odor: A distinctive, musky odor may be present. Look for urine stains.
Gnaw Marks: Fresh gnaw marks are light and will darken over time.
Rub Marks: Rodents leave rub marks from body oil, grease and dirt along the walls they travel. New rub marks will
smear. Old rub marks are darker and may flake off.
Tracks: Footprints and tail drags may be seen in dusty locations. To view difficult-to-see tracks, shine a strong
flashlight at a low angle across the dust. A non-toxic tracking powder placed on a suspected rodent trail, and reinspected the following day, also may assist in identifying tracks.
Upset Pets: House pets, such as cats and dogs may become agitated when they hear rodents gnawing, digging,
running and fighting.