Get the answer of: How to Control Rats ?
Rodents include mice, squirrel, beaver, porcupine, rat, rabbit etc. Out of these rats are the main source of nuisance in the houses. Domestic rats and other rodents are the carriers of disease germs, fleas, lice, mites, intestinal parasites etc. due to their wide distribution and close association with the man.
They are responsible for damage and eating large quantity of food grains and other eatables. Rat population in India is estimated to be 3000 millions and the annual loss caused to food grains by the rodent population is 2.7 million tonnes, which is about 2-4% of the total production of agriculture.
Rats are responsible for spreading typhus fever, plagues, rat bite fever, jaundice, amoebic dysentery, trichinosis, etc. Rat control measures include rat-proof construction of storage bins, trapping, fumigation, poisoning, destruction by natural enemies, elimination of food, water and harbourgages etc.
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For the effective implementation of the rat control measures, the cooperation of public and the concerned department is essential. Better sanitation with proper refuse disposal is the most effective method of rat control.
By the elimination of insanitary conditions, protecting food, water and harbourages, the rat problem can be solved up to great extent because the population of rats mainly depends on the availability of food, water and harbourages for them.
Closely fitted covers should be provided for the garbage bins. In the houses the food and grains should be kept in covered containers and the floors should be washed or swept for removing the traces or bits of the food.
Candles, wax products, soaps, fruits vegetables and other eatables should be stored in rat proof bins. All the rat holes in houses and fields should be sealed and walls, doors should be kept in good condition so that rats may not enter the premises.
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Rat control can be done by fumigation, but it should be done only in suitable places for it. It is extensively used to free ships or rodents and other vermin. HCN is the most effective fumigant gas, but this gas is deadly poisonous to human also, therefore it should be used with great care.
Calcium cyanide in granular or powdered form may be pumped into rat holes. While doing fumigation in buildings and other indoor areas, they should be tightly closed and the cracks sealed. The buildings should be kept open for at least 4 hours for ventilation, after fumigating.
Rats can be destroyed most efficiently by poisoning. Arsenic, strychnine, phosphorus, barium carbonates etc. can be used for rat killing. These poisons are mixed with fish, cereal, meat or bread and are kept in the corners of the rooms. The rat burrows may be gassed with auto exhaust, calcium cyanide, SO2, chlorine etc. for killing rats.