Rats are a concern because their urine and droppings, as well as the fleas on their bodies, may transmit diseases. Besides contaminating food, they also cause damage to infrastructure by gnawing. Rats thrive where food, water, and shelter is readily available. In urban environments like Singapore, poorly-managed bin centres and refuse chutes, uncovered or overflowing bulk bins, uncleared stray animal feeding, improper disposal of food waste and poor housekeeping provide conducive conditions for rats to feed and nest.
Rat burrows, rat droppings, rub marks, gnaw marks and squeaking sounds are possible signs of rat infestation. The key strategy in managing rat infestation is to remove and deny entry to food sources and remove potential areas of harbourage, so as to make nesting and breeding difficult. Measures to achieve this include keeping the environment clean, storing food in rat-proof containers and practising good refuse management.
All stakeholders including land owners, building management, food shop operators and supermarket operators must establish good housekeeping practices, refuse management and conduct routine pest control checks and proper treatment. Consistent and sustained efforts by all parties are needed to ensure rat infested areas are tackled holistically. More information can be obtained from the "Keep Places Clean and Free of Rats" pamphlet. A guideline on rat prevention and control for estate and facilities managers is also available for reference.
Licensed Vector Control Operators (VCOs) should be engaged to prevent and reduce rat infestations. This should be guided by clear contract specifications that ensure execution of a comprehensive and sustained rat surveillance and control programme tailored for the type of premises they are servicing.
The sample rat control contract specifications for service buyers can be found below: