The premises around the poultry house should be cleared of all rat harbors by elevating all objects under which a rat can find shelter. ([Fig. 14.]) Near-by buildings particularly should be considered, for it is frequently found that rats living exclusively on poultry feed occupy harbors 50 or more feet away from the food source. For this, reason it is desirable to build poultry plants at least 100 feet from any possible rat harborage. The vast number of young chicks killed annually by rats would be greatly reduced if these simple precautions were taken.
13740C
Figure 13.—Rat proofing a poultry house by laying a concrete floor
There are many farm buildings of various kinds that should be made proof against rats. In most cases, however, the application of the general principles of rat proofing, as previously explained, will suffice. Not only should all buildings in which food is kept be made inaccessible to rats, but adjoining and near-by buildings and premises as well. The procedure to be followed in the case of farm dwellings is omitted here, as sufficient is included under the next heading, Rat Proofing City Buildings, the conditions with respect to dwellings on farms and in towns being quite similar.
Outside cellars frequently become infested with rats, and great havoc to stored produce almost invariably results. Considerable expense, if necessary, is justified in making the storage cellar rat proof. A cellarway with wooden steps and sills and earth floor is usually the source of the trouble. The sill soon rots or the rats burrow under it to gain entrance. The remedy is to construct a concrete floor and cellarway. This not only will exclude rats but will prove more economical in the long run. ([Fig. 15.])