What is the term for killing rats? - briefly
The act of killing rats is termed «ratting». It is also referred to as rodent control when conducted as part of a pest‑management program.
What is the term for killing rats? - in detail
The specific verb used to denote the deliberate killing of rats is «ratting». This term appears in pest‑control literature and law enforcement reports when describing the act of eliminating rats as a targeted measure.
In professional contexts, the activity may also be referred to as «rat extermination». This phrase emphasizes the systematic nature of the process, often involving:
- Traps (snap, live‑catch, electronic)
- Poison baits classified as rodenticides
- Environmental management (sanitation, exclusion)
Legal documents frequently employ the noun «rat control», which encompasses both lethal and non‑lethal strategies but, when paired with the adjective “lethal”, explicitly indicates the intent to kill.
The use of rodenticides introduces the term «rodenticide application». This phrase specifies the method of delivering chemical agents designed to cause mortality in rats and is regulated by agencies such as the EPA and local health departments.
When reporting incidents, authorities may record the action as «rat killing operation». This designation is used in operational logs to differentiate from broader pest‑management activities.
Overall, the lexical set—«ratting», «rat extermination», «lethal rat control», «rodenticide application», and «rat killing operation»—provides precise terminology for the act of killing rats across scientific, regulatory, and operational domains.