Rat Control

Let's do it together

It’s important to work together with your neighbors to combat the rat problem. After all, it’s pointless if Neighbor 1 takes action but Neighbor 2 doesn’t. The problem will just keep coming back. So let’s work together!

Identifying Rats

Rats are larger than mice. A rat’s tail is thicker than a mouse’s. Their ears are smaller and their legs are longer.

Rat droppings are much larger than those of a mouse. They are about 2 cm long and 0.5 cm thick and are found in small piles. Mouse droppings resemble grains of rice. They are scattered about.

Tips for Controlling Rats

West Maas en Waal is a water-rich area. Rats often live in and along the waterfront. Sometimes they expand their habitat. They do this if there is food, nesting opportunities, and shelters elsewhere. 

Tips on food/food scraps

• Keep food tightly sealed.
• Please do not litter or throw food on the ground.
• Feed birds small amounts.
• Feed in small portions so that there is no food left out overnight.
• Please do not feed bread to ducks, goats, or pigs in the area.
• Do not scatter chicken or rabbit feed in the yard. Feed your animals using a feeding bowl in an enclosed area.
• Rats can stockpile walnuts, hazelnuts, and fruit for the winter. Clean these up as much as possible.
• Do you have a pond with fish? Don’t feed your fish more than they can eat. Store the food in a sealed container.

Tips for Your Community

• Use chicken wire for a run.
• Seal any holes that rats can get through.
• Keep the area clean and tidy up any clutter around your house and shed as much as possible. Rats can use this as a hiding place.
• Make sure you don’t provide nesting sites; don’t pile up scrap wood or yard waste—clear it away.
• Do you have pallets made of split wood? Place them on a concrete or tiled surface. That way, rats can’t get underneath them.
• Install grates or mesh with openings no larger than 5 mm in air ducts or openings for ventilation or exhaust pipes.