Follow these tips all year – even in winter – to help reduce the rat population.

Eliminate any food and water supply for rats

• Keep your entire premises clean. Remove debris and litter, and cut any tall weeds or underbrush.
  
  
• Eliminate any sources of standing or dripping water by repairing leaky faucets and not over-watering yards and landscaping. Be aware that dry weather will cause storm drains and creeks to dry out, driving rodents to seek water in swimming pools, birdbaths and outdoor pet water bowls.
  
  
• Seal garbage in tightly covered, vermin-proof container. Make sure your garbage containers don’t have holes or cracks. The containers must be no larger than 32-gallon capacity.
  
  
• Store garbage containers in your garage if possible. Whether stored inside or outside, keep garbage containers at least 18 inches off of the ground.
  
  
• Do not use bags or boxes for storage of garbage.
  
  
• Remove animal feces from your yard every day.
  
  
• Don’t leave uneaten pet food outside.
  
• Do not put bird food on the ground, and pick up any seeds that fall from bird feeders. Do not put leftovers out for birds to eat. Birdhouses and seed should be on poles and in trays rats can't get.
  
  
• Pick up fruit that falls from your fruit trees daily, and pick ripe vegetables immediately.
  
  
• Do not mulch rotted vegetables and fruit into the ground.
  
  
• Thoroughly rinse any empty containers you place in your orange recycling bin before putting the bin out at the curb for materials collection.
  
  
• Do not place any animal products (meat, fish, poultry, or dairy) in your compost pile. compost) Use only rodent resistant compost containers.

Avoid creating places where rats can nest

• Keep all materials stored in your garage, or outside on your property (such as firewood), at least 18 inches off of the ground.
  
  
• Seal cracks or breaks in foundations and repair holes around pipes, screen doors, windows, vents and other openings into the home. Believe it or not, rats can get into your home or garage through holes as small as one half-inch!
  
  
• Rats nest in thick foliage. Prune your vegetation regularly.
  
  
• Outside steps should be made of concrete/masonry. Keep the space beneath wooden steps clean.
  
  
• Store items in your attic or basement in rodent-proof containers instead of cardboard boxes.

Call the City for help at 943-2099

• If you find (or suspect) the presence of rats in your home or garage, or on your property, don’t set out rat poison or rodenticide. Rats can become immune to store-brand pesticides, and the poison is dangerous to children and pets.
  
  
• Call the Building & Safety Department Vector Control at 943-2099.
  All calls are kept anonymous.
  
  
• Technicians will inspect the caller’s property, as well as adjoining properties, for free. If needed, they can deploy a special commercial rodenticide or traps, and provide rodent control information.