In rat proofing a city building it is well first to look to the exterior. If the locality is heavily infested with rats, some are almost certain sooner or later to find their way into the building however well protected against them it may be. Garbage and trash usually comprise the bulk of the rats' food supply. A metal, water-tight garbage can, large enough to contain all garbage accumulations between collections and having a close-fitting lid (fig 1), is of prime importance and should be required in all cases by city law.
B2008M
Figure 16.—An accumulation of trash such as this Is almost certain to attract rats and should be prohibited by law
Large accumulations of trash usually, contain much waste food ([fig. 16]) and are certain to attract rats and furnish an ideal breeding place for them. Furthermore, they are a menace to health and should not be tolerated under any circumstances. All other rat harbors, such as wooden floors and sidewalks very near the ground, should be removed or replaced with concrete, and piles of lumber and various materials stored out of doors should be removed or elevated 18 or more inches. Particular care should be taken to see that sheds and other outbuildings, porches, steps, loading platforms, and similar structures on the premises are made rat proof, either by the use of concrete, by elevation, or by keeping them open to the light and easily accessible.
A thorough inspection should next be made of the building itself and careful note taken of alterations and repairs necessary for a thorough job of rat proofing. Inspection should begin in the basement. Doors and windows should fit snugly, particularly doors leading to outside stairs or elevators, and these should also be provided with automatic closing devices. Windows and ventilators should be screened or covered with gratings, the openings not more than half an inch square. Defects in basement floors should be repaired with concrete, and floor drains should be fitted with tight covers, ([Fig. 17.])
B3341M:B3331M