HOUSE RATS AND MICE. 



9 



KEEPING FOOD FROM RATS AND MICE. 



The effect of an abundance of food on the breeding of rodents 

 should be kept in mind. Well-fed rats mature quickly, breed often, 

 and have large litters. Poorly fed rats, on the contrary, reproduce 

 less frequently and have smaller litters. In addition, scarcity of food 

 makes measures for destroying the animals far more effective. 



Merchandise in stores. — In all parts of the country there is a serious 

 economic drain in the destruction by rats and mice of merchandise 

 held for sale by dealers. Not only foodstuffs and forage, but textiles, 

 clothing, and leather goods are often ruined. This loss is due mainly 

 to the faulty buildings in which the stores are kept. Often it would 

 be a measure of economy to tear down the old structures and replace 

 them by new ones. HowcA^er, even the old buildings may often be 

 repaired so as to make them practically rat-proof; and foodstuffs, as 

 flour, seeds, and meats, may always be protected in wire cages at 

 slight expense. The public should be protected from insanitary 

 stores by a system of rigid inspection. 



Household supplies. — Similar care should be exercised in the home to 

 protect household supplies from mice and rats. Little progress in 

 ridding the premises of these animals can be made so long as they 

 have access to supplies of food. Cellars, kitchens, and pantries often 

 furnish subsistence not only to rats that inhabit the dwelling, but to 

 many that come from outside. Food supplies may always be kept 

 from rats and mice if placed in inexpensive rat-proof containers 

 covered with wire netting. Sometimes all that is needed to prevent 



^Rolling Door 

 6'-2' • lO'- 6' 



^Rolling Door 



Rolling OoorJ 



DRIVEWAY 

 Concrefn Floor 



tolling Door 

 6' a'' /O'- 9- • 



M?/e j^f corners 

 ■nner stud tn soch^f 



'Ro/hng Poor 



Rolhng Door- 



• ■ ■ ' ] ' 



I Orocin 

 > B 



Orag Door I _ yDrag Door ~ 



CRIB FOR 1000 3USfi£.L5 EAR CORN 



Fig. 4. — Floor plan of rat-proof corncrib shown in figure 3. 

 10646°-'17— Bull 896 2 



