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Rodent Management

GrowBoston prioritizes the health and safety of Boston’s citizens and urban growers. Sometimes, rodents can get in the way of health and safety. Below is a guide to help you prevent and mitigate rodents in your green space.

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Introduction

Identifying a Problem

First, if you see rodents in your space, you have a rodent issue. If this is the case, report it by calling 311. You can also submit pictures to the 311 app. 

Rodents can be sneaky, and figuring out their presence can be hard. Some signs are burrowing holes, droppings, gnaw marks, runways (see image), and damage to plants. Burrowing holes lead to underground rat nests, and are around 2-4 inches wide. You may find burrowing holes under plants or large items. Droppings look like dark brown or black rice. They are often found near trash and food sources. Gnaw marks can occur on anything from garbage cans to fences. You will find gnaw marks that can help identify where the rodents frequent. Rodent runways look like worn-away earth. They could leave dark trails on structures. Lastly, they might damage fruit and vegetables. Plant damage usually occurs near the base or root structure.

 

Rodent Runway in the Boston Common. See the line in the grass that leads from the burrow to the food source which is the trash barrel.
Rodent Runway

A line in the grass leads the burrow to the food source (the trash barrel).
Issues Associated with Rodents

Having rodents in your urban growing space can cause a lot of issues. Rodents are carriers of diseases such as Salmonellosis and Rat Bite Fever. They can also cause asthma or allergic reactions. Additionally, rodents can cause damage to your growing space. Rats need to chew. This can erode the structures in your space. They can also cause damage to your plants. They often chew plants from the base, disrupting growth and destroying roots.

Rodent Prevention

The key to preventing rodents is limiting their food, water, and shelter access. Establish farm hygiene practices that limit rodent access in these three areas:
  1. Food 
  2. Water
  3. Shelter
 Limit Access to Food 

Keep trash containers secure with lids and always keep them closed tight. Don’t leave food outside for other animals. If you have to use feeders, never put them on the ground. Do not leave bird feeders out overnight. Properly dispose of fruit and vegetable residue.

Composting can be the perfect food source to attract rodents. To prevent this, consider using a composting tumbler raised off the ground. If your compost sits on the ground, place hard material under it so they cannot burrow. Place compost in an open area away from other structures. Avoid composting food, meat, dairy, and grease in your green space (City and private composting businesses can often take these materials). Make sure to bury new food additions deep within the compost pile. Keep compost moist and stir frequently, to limit standing water.

Make sure garden plots are being maintained. Regularly pick up food and clean the lots. Wrap up everything by the end of the growing season (ex: make sure to not leave tomatoes after the season is over).

Limit Access to Water

In addition to food, rodents need water. They will seek this out in your growing space if you don’t limit their access. Do your best to cut out any standing water sources, this is their favorite type of water source. At a minimum, empty any standing water sources overnight. Identify and limit any water sources, for example: irrigation lines, leaky hoses, or water bowls for pets.

Limit Access to Shelter
Rodents seek out small spaces to nest. The best way to avoid their nesting is not to create places for them to hide. Trim plants so they don't touch other structures. Cut bushes shorter at the bottom to reduce the possibility of burrowing. Remove trash and yard debris to eliminate burrowing areas. Store equipment away in other structures. Maintain a 2-foot space between bushes, shrubs, fences, and buildings. Keep your weeds cut short. Avoid planting ivy on fences because it serves as a way for rodents to climb.

Rodent Mitigation

If rodent issues persist, report activity to 311 and seek professional help. The rodent control technician should be a part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. IPM uses many methods to lessen the rodent population. IPM reduces the use of harmful chemicals to avoid an effect on humans and the environment.

Some options for dealing with rodents include bait and traps. Bait stations are designed to protect children and pets, and to also survive weather fluctuations. Bait stations allow rats to enter and take the bait or use the trap. If you choose to install these without the help of a professional, follow instructions and use gloves. There are different categories of traps, including glue, snap, electronic, and live-animal. One rodent management product that the City of Boston uses is a carbon monoxide sprayer. It can be a good option for urban growers, as it does not require a permit and effectively manages rodents by targeting their burrow system. Think about health, safety, and ethical considerations when choosing your trap. 

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