What is the term for pest control against rats? - briefly
The activity is referred to as «rat control». It is a subset of the broader practice known as «rodent control».
What is the term for pest control against rats? - in detail
The standard phrase for activities intended to eliminate or manage rat populations is «rodent control». In professional literature the term frequently appears as «rat control», a subset of the broader category that includes all species of rodents.
Effective rodent control programs combine several techniques:
- Environmental sanitation – removal of food sources, proper waste storage, sealing entry points.
- Mechanical methods – snap traps, live‑catch cages, electronic devices.
- Chemical control – anticoagulant baits, rodenticides applied according to regulatory guidelines.
- Biological approaches – use of predators such as feral cats, or introduction of natural pathogens under controlled conditions.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – coordinated strategy that prioritizes prevention, monitors activity levels, and applies the least hazardous methods first.
Regulatory agencies define acceptable practices, requiring licensing for the use of toxic baits and mandating record‑keeping of applications. Monitoring tools include bait stations with tracking indicators and motion‑activated cameras to assess infestation levels.
Choosing the appropriate method depends on infestation severity, location (urban, agricultural, industrial), and compliance requirements. A comprehensive plan typically starts with sanitation, followed by mechanical traps, and escalates to chemical measures only when necessary, aligning with the principles of IPM.