April 2025
In the battle against rodents, humans are supposed to be more intelligent. Yet rodents appear to be winning the battles.
We cannot eliminate rodents. There are too many of them. What we have to do is act smarter. When poison and traps are used, rodents scurry around them to reach both food and shelter.
Integrated pest management offers a better solution. Take actions to keep rodents away from your food, including food waste, and home. Create landscaping that deters rodents from building burrows. Seal off building foundations and exterior walls to restrict their entry to buildings.
Do a better job of managing food waste so rats are unable to reach it. The less food we make available to them, the harder it is for rodents to survive. Repair or replace damaged or older dumpsters. Empty dumpsters and trash cans more frequently. Avoid open trash cans and dumpsters. Utilize odour control to prevent food odours from travelling. Implement a composting program. Use trash bins that are harder for rodents to access.
Technology solutions include “smart boxes” – enclosed traps that electrocute rodents. Smart pipes will ensnare and kill rodents which can then be disposed of. Specially trained dogs will find and attack them.
One community found that, after repairing damaged dumpsters, rats began killing each other off for food.
