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Here you will find information on how to deal with, control and prevent rat infestations.
"The rat is probably the only mammal that humans will never eradicate."
This quote reflects the difficulties of "rat control" very well. The City of Bonn would therefore like to provide you with some important information on the subject of "rats" and help you to deal with these health pests correctly.
What species do we have?
Two species of rat have become native to our region:
The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
The house rat (Rattus rattus)
Norway rats have brown-grey fur on the upper side and gray-white fur on the belly. They reach a body length of 20 to 27 centimetres without the tail and are most easily distinguished from the house rat by the length of their tail. If it is shorter than the body, it is a Norway rat. They have a widespread habitat and can be found in the ground, where they build widely branched burrows. In cellars, where they can get very close to humans, and in sewers, they have ideal distribution opportunities.
House rats, on the other hand, usually have a darker coat coloration and are significantly smaller with a body length of 15 to 24 centimeters. In addition, house rats live in residential buildings and halls where they find sufficient warmth.
Why are there rats in my house of all places?
Many people dispose of their waste in the toilet, providing rats with a rich food supply in the sewers. They find sheltered nesting places in leaky sewage pipes, where food is delivered free of charge.
How to prevent a rat infestation
Food does not belong in the sink or toilet.
Incorrect composting is a table setting and an invitation. Please make sure you use closed composters and only put in what belongs there.
What dogs, cats and birds like, rats also like. Therefore, only keep food in closed containers.
Make sure you keep garbage cans closed.
Tidiness and cleanliness: A rat does not feel at home where there are no hiding places.
Do not feed wild animals.
Well-filled bird feeders are also a popular source of food and are easy for rats to reach.
Leftover food is a welcome invitation.
Make sure that openings, potential loopholes and pipes are sealed to make it more difficult for rats to enter buildings.
Maintain your developed and undeveloped properties and keep grass and shrubs cut short. Dispose of garbage that is suitable for hiding and nesting.
What is the city of Bonn doing?
You have probably already seen the silver boxes dotted around the city. Green ones will be added soon. These are bait stations that are set up and checked by a specialist company on behalf of the City of Bonn. Please leave the boxes unattended if possible. As rats are very shy animals, they react very sensitively to changes in their environment. In the sewer system, the City of Bonn's civil engineering department carries out professional control in the over 1,000-kilometer-long sewer network.
Poison baits can help:
Please support us and dispose of waste correctly. If the sewage system and compost provide a richly laid table, rats will not accept the bait.
Control on private property:
In principle, the owner or property management company is responsible for rat control!
Tip: If you notice a rat infestation on your property, talk to your neighbor, they probably have the same problem. A joint baiting campaign makes sense.
How to fight rats properly
Recommendation:
Hire a specialist company to carry out rat control. The experts can help you and advise you to prevent another infestation.
Alternative:
You can also carry out control yourself using commercially available and over-the-counter products.
Always follow the instructions for use and warnings on the packaging!
