Identify & Solve Who to Contact

Rat
Identify: Rats in or Around Sewers or
Droppings are typically the easiest way to
identify a rat problem. Mouse droppings
Public Property:
City of Eugene Public Works:
Prevention
& Control
are smaller, like black grains of rice. 541-682-4800
You may also see rats, hear rat squeaking
as well as hissing and chattering, or find Rats on Private Property
chewed-up material. Outside, there may (Residential or Non-Food):
be burrows or runways.
City of Eugene Code Compliance: Your Guide to maintaining
541-682-5819 a rat-free property.
How to Get Rid of Rodents
1. Remove sources of food and shelter. At or Near a Food-Related
2. Prevent access to your home. Business or Institution:
3. Remove excess debris from your yard. Lane County Public Health:
541-682-4480
4. Keep compost enclosed in a bin with
a tight-fitting lid.
Concerns About Unsafe or
5. Contain chicken and animal food in Unsanitary Conditions in an
rat-proof containers.
Urban Campsite:
6. Sweep and contain or dispose of
On Private Property:
uneaten feed after meals.
City of Eugene Code Compliance:
7. Eliminate rodents through trapping 541-682-5819
or professional help. or email codecompliance@ci.eugene.or.us
Warning: Use of poison is not
On Public Property:
recommended and should be
City of Eugene Public Works:
Rat prevention and control is
regarded as a last resort tactic. important in order to prevent:
541-682-4800
Poison can harm or kill humans, pets,
birds, and other animals, as well as • Public health risk
our environment.
• Damage to property
Cleaning Up After Rodents Information from the CDC: • Rapid rodent overpopulation
Always take precautions to protect www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html
yourself from the potential of infectious
disease. Wear gloves, clean surfaces
with disinfectant, and follow all labeled
instructions.
For more detailed information, go to:
www.eugene-or.gov/rats

More Info
TIP
Use the decision-maker www.eugene-or.gov/rats
flowchart on the back if
you see rats.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE SIGNS OF RATS IN EUGENE?
USE THIS DECISION TOOL TO HELP YOU DECIDE

Where is your rat problem?

Another Business or Business or

My home Public
Home Institution: Institution:
property
Non Food Food

Own Rent Call City of Eugene Public

Try talking to the Own
Works. They will check the
owner to see if they nearby city sewer manholes.
are aware of the 541-682-4800
problem. Point to
the websites below
Inform for more resources No Yes
Rats Rats
landlord on contending with
inside outside
in writing rats. Offer to help, File a complaint at the City of
especially elderly Eugene Code Compliance.
and disabled They will assess the problem,
Review the
neighbors. recommend steps, and
Rat proof your yard and food safety
follow-up to make sure the
home. Seal up cracks and plan pest
problem has been resolved.
openings to your house, control
www.eugene-or.gov/1617
crawlspace, and attic. Seal Standard
or 541-682-5819
chicken coops & compost Operating
If your neighbor
bins. Remove/seal food Procedures.
is uncooperative,
sources such as open you can:
garbage, pet/chicken food,
bird feeder spillage, and fruit
& vegetables on the ground. Call Lane County
Public Health. They Grocery
Consider setting out Restaurants,
will send an stores,
mechanical traps If landlord does food carts,
inspector to farmer’s
(in a safe location). not respond: food booths,
the facility. markets,
schools, and
541-682-4480 processors,
day cares
growers

Compare notes with Call City of Eugene

neighbors and others to see Public Works. They
if they are having similar will check the Call Oregon Dept. of Ag Food Safety.
problems and what steps nearby city sewer They will send an inspector to the
they have taken. Work manholes. facility. 503-986-4720
together. 541-682-4800

Rat Poison
If the problem persists
Use poison as a last resort. Use or
consult professionals trained in
the use of poisons. Always secure
in bait boxes. Improper use of rat
Call exterminator poison can harm or kill humans,
pets, birds, and other animals. Be
wary of false and misleading
statements on products claiming
they are environmentally safe and
pet friendly.

Warning!

R AT P R EVE NTI ON & • www.friendlyareaneighbors.org/rat/

CONTR OL R ES OUR CE S • www.eugene-or.gov/rats
This decision tool poster is a joint collaboration between the Friendly Neighborhood Rodent Action Team and the City of Eugene.
We welcome comments and suggestions for improvements in future editions. Contact us at: friendlyneighborhoodrat@gmail.com