Rats can be a problem in urban, suburban and rural areas. They infest old buildings and crowded, unsanitary areas that exist in an urban environment. However, they can also be a problem even with newer homes where sanitary conditions exist. Since these rodents eat practically anything humans eat, they may get plenty of food from home gardens, fruit or nut trees and even parts of some ornamental shrubs and flowers. Garbage disposals also attract rats into household and street sewer lines. They are a problem where sanitary sewers are in disrepair. Rats can be a problem in rural areas where food is plentiful and convenient nesting sites are both numerous and hard to eliminate. If SCPH receives a complaint about a rodent problem, SCPH will investigate the area and if signs of rodents are found SCPH can place bait in problem areas to help control rats, SCPH does not bait for mice. SCPH also educates residents on how to eliminate rodent breeding grounds.
Fact Sheets
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page revised 2/29/2024