6 



FARMERS^ BULLETIN 896. 



On a foundation like the one described above, the walls of a wooden 

 dwelling also may be made rat-proof. The space between the sheath- 

 ing and lath, to the height of about a foot, should be filled with con- 

 crete. Rats can not then gain access to the walls, and can enter the 

 dwelling only through doors or windows. Screening all basement 

 and cellar windows with wire netting is a most necessary precaution. 



Old buildings in cities. — Aside from old dwellings, the chief refuges 

 for rats in cities are sewers, wharves, stables, and outbuildings. 

 Modern sewers are used by the animals merely as highdays and not as 

 abodes, but old-fashioned brick sewers often afford nesting crannies. 



B675M 



Fig. 2. — Rat-prooflng a frame dwelling by concrete side wall (United States Public Health 

 Service, New Orleans, La., 1914). 



^lliarves, stables, and outbuildings in cities should be so built as to 

 exclude rats. Cement is the chief means to this end. Old tumble- 

 down buildings and wharves should not be- tolerated in any city. 

 (See fig. 2.) 



In both city and countr}^, wooden floors of sidewalks, areas, and 

 porches are commonly laid upon timbers resting on the ground. 

 Under such floors rats have a safe retreat from nearly all enemies. 

 The conditions can be remedied in towns by municipal action requir- 

 ing that these floors be replaced by others made of cement. Areas or 

 walks made of brick are often undermined by rats and may become 

 as objectionable as those of wood. Wooden floors of porches should 

 always be well above the ground. 



