Rodent Prevention

Signs of Rodent Activity

• Signs of gnawing or bite marks on plastic or rubber materials
• Droppings are a sign of significant rodent activity. The droppings are randomly scattered and will normally be found close to a rat runway, feeding location, or near shelter. Droppings can be found in forced air heaters, swimming pool heater covers, and water heater closets.
• Sounds, such as gnawing, from attic, subfloor areas, and walls
• Visual sightings on utility cables, tops of fences, or in trees
• Burrows in the ground adjacent to sewer lines
• Sticky, greasy, or dirty smears on surfaces from rodent fur
• Tracks left by rats
• Damaged, partially eaten fruits and nuts
• Broken snail shells under bushes, on fences, or near nesting sites

Did You Know?

• Domestic rodents are nocturnal.
• Domestic rodents tend to move indoors/to warmer areas during late fall or early winter and return to the outdoors in late spring or early summer. They may remain indoors if food and suitable harborage are available.
• Domestic rodents generally have poor sense of vision, but they have a great sense of smell, touch, and taste.
• Domestic rodents tend to chew through any material that is softer than their teeth.
• Domestic rodents are generally good climbers, jumpers, swimmers and burrowers.
• The main species of rodent in Medford is the Norway rat.
• Rodents usually live within 150 feet of a food and water source.
• Rodents can live without food, but cannot live without water.

About the Norway Rat

The Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus) rat is light brown to almost black in color. Its droppings are capsule-shaped, about three-quarter of an inch long. It lives about one year, births 6-12 “pups” per litter, and can produce up to 7 litters per year. Norway Rats burrow in the ground, under buildings and rubbish, usually living well within 150 feet of a food and water source. Rats require about one ounce of food a day and a half ounce of water. They feed on familiar food, preferring meats and grains, and are cautious of new items or new food. It is important to know that rats love dog feces.

Common Entry Points for Rodents

• Broken or missing foundation vent screens or attic vent screens
• Overlapping roof
• Under or on sides of garage doors
• Brick chimneys which settle away from house
• Crawl hole with poorly fitted lid
• Tile roof
• Broken or open building sewers which connect to the main sanitary sewer
• Toilets
• Between roof jack and vent pipe

STEP 1: Eliminate food and water — “CLEAN UP”

• Remove all  potential sources of food, especially from outdoor spaces. Pick up bird seed left out for birds. Routinely harvest ripe fruit and pick up all fruit that has fallen to the ground.
• Pick up all animal feces (from pets).
• Store pet food in metal containers with tight sealing lids and do not leave uneaten pet food outdoors.
• Avoid storing food in garages and storage sheds unless it is in rat-proof covered metal containers.
• Keep trash cans closed at all times with tightly-fitted lids.
• Repair leaks, and remove extra sprinklers, faucets, or other piping. Keep drain covers tightly fastening and remove any unnecessary standing water.

STEP 2: Eliminate Shelter and Harborage — “SEAL UP”

• Close all openings larger than ¼ inch to exclude rodents, even off the ground.
• Repair and replace damaged vent screens.
• Remove all trash and debris.
• Maintain a mowed lawn.
• Stack woodpiles, lumber and household items at least 18 inches above the ground, and 12 inches away from fences and walls.
• Trim trees, bushes, and vines at least 4 feet away from roof.
• Remove heavy vegetation away from buildings and fences
• Thin vegetation to allow sunlight in and deter rats from hiding
• Keep doors and windows screened.
• Repair or remove any dilapidated sheds, automobiles, overgrown weeds/grass, or any other clutter.

STEP 3: Destroy Rats — “TRAP UP”

• For your safety and protection, the Medford Health Department strongly recommends you contract with a Massachusetts licensed pest control specialist for treatment familiar with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. The City cannot conduct baiting on private property, but we can (and do) bait public property/catch basins if and where there is evidence of rodent activity.
• Rats that have entered buildings/residence should be snap trapped. Place near nesting areas or likely hiding places. Be sure to NOT place traps where children or pets could trigger and be harmed by them.
• Poisoning rats indoors is NOT recommended because the rat could die inside and create an odor or fly problem. Poison baits may be used when following recommended guidelines.
• Remove dead rats by placing them in a tightly sealed container for proper disposal. Never touch a dead rat with your bare hands. Clean and disinfect the area.

Tips for Trapping Rats

• • 1. Glue traps or glue boards are preferred for indoor use. An alternative to glue traps is spring-loaded traps. They are effective indoors where poisons may pose a threat to people or pets.
    2. Do not set traps where animals or children could come into contact and be harmed.
    3. Follow the directions of the trap package for proper placement and use.
    4. Traps may be baited with meat scraps, peanut butter, sardines, or partially cooked bacon.
    5. Mice may be trapped by binding nesting materials to spring-loaded traps.
    6. It is important that the proper snap trap size is used. The larger size is intended for rats, and the smaller size is intended for mice.
    7. Look for the presence of droppings when deciding where to place traps. Droppings indicate rats have passed by and therefore will likely again.
    8. Pre-baiting, meaning use a baited but unset trap, is recommended so that rats become accustomed to the food source. This requires only 2-3 days after which traps can be set.

Tips for Chemical Control

• • 1. Please contact a Massachusetts licensed pest control specialist to maximize safety.
    2. Effective rat poisoning program requires a fresh, dry supply of bait that is readily available.
    3. To kill rats in the shortest time possible, first eliminate all other sources of food, forcing the rats to accept the poison as their only food.
    4. Rodenticides can be purchased at nurseries, feed stores, and hardware stores. All rodenticides should be handled carefully. Always follow all label precautions and recommendations.
    5. All placed rodenticides must be replenished immediately when supplies are low.
    6. A Medford Sanitarian can advise homeowners on proper baiting or trapping procedures, and will provide other information on prevention of rodent problems.

Rodent Control Safety Tips

• Never touch rats, objects they have contaminated, or rat poison
• Always wear disposable gloves when handling rats, rat bait or when cleaning rat soiled areas
• Avoid stirring up and breathing dust in these areas
• Wear a mask to avoid breathing dust particles contaminated by rats
• To eliminate dust, use a disinfectant to dampen soiled nesting material and droppings before sweeping
• Wash your hands afterwards

Guidelines When Speaking to a Licensed Pest Control Specialist

1. The pest control operator should make a thorough inspection of your premises and provide a written report or diagram in which they:
   
   – Locate or describe entrances and rat proofing needs
   – List harborage and food sources present
   – Locate or describe entrances and rat proofing needs
   – List harborage and food sources present
2. The pest control operator should give attention to rodent proofing needs by: 

   – Bidding and contracting for needed work or
   – Providing specifications and requirements for doing it yourself or other means of repair.
   – Coordinating rodent exclusion with control measures. 

3. The pest control operator should stress trapping or other capture techniques for indoor infestations (rats may die in walls or other inaccessible places and cause bad odors when poison bait is used). They should NOT make false claims for rodenticides, i.e., “this poison makes the rats dry up and they won’t smell” or “will cause the rats to go outside in search of water,” etc. 
4. Tropical rat mites may become bothersome when rodents are removed or controlled. Rat parasite control, if needed should be undertaken before or concurrently with rodent control.

Working toward a long term solution

Trapping and baiting rodents will only kill the rodents that the traps/baits are able to catch. In order to come to a long term solution to the rodent problem in the City of Medford, ALL Medford residents must work together to do the preventative work of removing food, water, and shelter. By taking these steps and maintaining a rodent-free environment, we as a community can help keep the rats at bay and away from our residences and businesses. Be a good neighbor and do your part.

Most people are capable of controlling rat problems if given the proper direction. The City of Medford is asking you to remove any conditions on your property that allow rat harborage, food supply, or access to water. The continued maintenance is recommended after the rats are controlled. At the same time, we are inspecting the neighborhood to find other properties with rat harborage.

The owner of property on which rodents or rodent harborage is found is responsible for the abatement and control of the problems.

For more information and advice on rodent control and prevention, please contact the Medford Board of Health.

Special thanks to The City of Berkeley Vector Control Program for the resources, information, and strategies to control rodents.