Urban environments offer rats numerous opportunities to survive and reproduce. Their presence can cause damage, contamination and hygiene risks, so prevention and effective control are essential for long-term management.
A rat near a rubbish bin, apartment block, garage or in a basement is not something to ignore. It means rodents have access to food, water and hiding places in the surrounding environment. Because they reproduce quickly, it is sensible to act at the first sighting – before a small problem becomes a larger one.
If you see a rat, first remove accessible sources of food and water, close rubbish bins and check movement routes along walls, pipes and buildings. Where there is a larger or recurring presence, an effective rodenticide bait is appropriate; wax blocks are particularly practical for damp locations and areas around buildings. Always use rodenticides in accordance with the label and in suitable tamper-resistant bait stations.
The urban environment often provides everything they need to survive: food, water and safe hiding places. The following most commonly contribute to their presence and spread:
Through urine, droppings and other excretions, rats can contaminate surfaces, food stocks and the environment. Important diseases associated with rodents include leptospirosis and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS).
If you find droppings: Ventilate the area thoroughly. Do not sweep or vacuum droppings when dry; dampen or disinfect the surface and then clean it using a wet method. Wear protective gloves while cleaning.
Situation | Recommended solution | Why |
Plenty of other food in the area | Soft and moist formulation with very high palatability. | |
Larger or recurring presence | High palatability and brodifacoum with single-feed action. | |
Damp areas and around buildings | The wax formulation withstands moisture and demanding conditions better. |
If rats have plenty of other food available, they may ignore a less attractive bait. Comparative palatability tests have shown the soft and moist formulation of Ratimor Soft Bait to be the most palatable bait formulation.
Place baits along walls and on actual movement routes – in basements, garages, along building edges and pipes, or wherever you see droppings and other signs. Rats can be cautious around new objects, so do not move bait stations unnecessarily. Check baits regularly and replenish them in accordance with the label.
It is a warning that rats have access to food, water and hiding places in the area. Act at the first sighting.
Mice and rats in the garden can damage crops, roots and stored supplies and may eventually move closer to the home. A tidy environment, limiting food sources and properly protecting garden buildings help reduce the risk of their presence.
Urban environments offer rats numerous opportunities to survive and reproduce. Their presence can cause damage, contamination and hygiene risks, so prevention and effective control are essential for long-term management.
Basements and pantries are attractive to mice and rats mainly because they provide food, shelter and favourable hiding conditions. Their presence can quickly threaten stored winter food and other supplies, so it is important to know how to reduce the risk of an infestation and how to act effectively once rodents settle in the area.
Mice and rats in the house can threaten food supplies, damage equipment and cause hygiene problems. Long-term protection of the home depends on preventing access, removing sources of food and water and applying appropriate control measures.
Mice in the home can damage food, packaging and other materials and cause hygiene problems. Mechanical traps are a practical rodenticide-free solution, particularly when the problem is detected early and only a small number of rodents are present.
