How to get rid of rats around your home?

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Are you also troubled by rats? the pesky little beings that are very tough to get rid of?

Rats are responsible for causing over 35 diseases. The most common of them are Hantavirus, leptospirosis, tularemia, and plague. Once we come in contact with their feces, urine, skin, teeth, or even ticks and fleas who live in the infected rat, we are prone to catching the deadly viruses, known as vector-borne diseases. Even if they brush through our clothes, it can be enough to transfer the virus to humans. These viruses or bacteria can enter our system through inhalation, cuts, and scratches, through the lining of the throat, mouth, and eyes, and even through the pores of our skin. Rats also weaken the structure of our houses and if they lay teeth on electrical wiring, it may lead to short circuits.

Now that we know how life-threatening rats can be, what if we told you that no artificial substance is needed to get rid of them? Interested? Read on!

Bangalore is rich in Urban Wildlife and is blessed with birds and reptiles that naturally control the rodent population of the city. These creatures are unappreciated and highly unrecognised and are often seen as a threat or disturbance. But fostering healthy symbiotic relationships with them will surely go a long way!

Snakes and owls are two such creatures that are secretly best friends with the farmers. Since rodents constitute their main diet, they help in protecting the crops and warehouses from rodent infestation. They mostly hunt at night which does not hinder the farmer's routine.

We come across many species of owls as part of our rescue and rehabilitation services. Some of them are Barn Owl, Indian Eagle Owl, and Spotted Owl. Owls are nocturnal creatures and have shown exemplary performance in keeping the rodent population in check. How to ensure safe habitats for owls around your area? For starters, make sure there are enough trees for them to reside in and start their family. They typically perch on dry high branches of trees, so next time you see one, save it for your owl friend. A good habitat will also ensure that they do not end up getting electrocuted or orphaned. Alternatively, you can also buy or make a nesting box. Make sure there are enough water sources.




When it comes to snakes, a good majority of them are non-venomous and reside around our homes and in parks. They avoid confrontation with humans and prefer to slither around silently, foraging for food. Since most of the snakes are night hunters, coexisting with them is not that difficult and scary. (For detailed information on how to coexist with snakes, read our previous blog titled "Snakes in the city: how to coexist with our fanged friends").

Owls and snakes play a very important role in keeping our city clean. They are biological pest controllers and come with no side effects. They keep the city free of rodent-induced epidemics, thus making sure that our city is healthy. Urbanisation has not been easy on these creatures and they could surely use our help in setting up their homes, just like we could use their help in saving ours from the rodents!










Authored by Praanjali Shukla, Volunteer @PfA, Bangalore.

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