5 Questions with Dan Crew

1. Why get rid of rats?

Rats transmit murine typhus fever, rat bite fever, Salmonella or bacterial food poisoning, Weil’s disease or leptospirosis and trichinosis, melioidosis, brucellosis, tuberculosis, pasteurellosis, rickettsial diseases, and viral diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease. Norway rats can also carry the rabies virus.

2. Why are rats so difficult to capture and get rid of?

Knowing their habits and behavior make your pest control efforts more successful. Have patience. Rats have neophobia, or new object fear, which makes rats extremely cautious about changes in their territory. It takes several days before a rat will accept a new object as part of its territory.

3. Where should traps be placed?

The best places to set traps are behind objects, in dark corners or wherever rat runways, droppings and gnawing are evident. Traps should be set so that the rat, in following its natural course, will pass directly over the trigger. In setting a trap along a wall, the trap should extend from the wall at right angles, with the trigger end nearly touching the wall.

4. Can the Kness Big Snap-E Rat Traps be used more than once?

Yes, you can reuse your traps. In fact, once you catch a rat on this trap, it may be more effective because it will have the scent pheromone of a rat, which is attractive to other rodents, prompting them to become curious and inspect it.

5. How do I prevent a re-infestation?

Find any trouble spots and seal openings that allow rats to enter. Rats can enter any opening that ½-inch wide. Seal any cracks and holes in foundation walls. All openings for water pipes, electric wires, cables, vents and drain spouts should be tightly sealed. Eliminate food sources. Don’t store garbage outside in plastic bags. Don’t let bird seed accumulate on the ground or leave pet food outside overnight. Don’t leave ripe fruit or vegetables under trees or in the garden to decay.