Press releases
From Highland Terrace Neighborhood
WINTER WATER SAFETY TIPS & identify symtoms of hypothermia
Source: Kent Fire Dept. Release Date and Time: 01-24-2008 01:12:00 PM
www.ci.kent.wa.us
Frozen Water Surfaces Pose Safety Hazard
Appearance of ice creates false sense of security
KENT, WA – January 24, 2008 – The Kent Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the dangers of retention ponds, lakes, and other standing water, especially during the winter months. Due to the continued freezing weather, many of these bodies of water now have a layer of ice on the surface that appears safe to walk on. It is extremely important that people understand that even if the ice appears thick enough to stand on, or that it supports a persons weight near the edges, moving on the ice can and most likely will cause it to break, sending the person into the frigid water.
Keep all children and pets off ice and warn others to do the same. If someone falls into the water, call 9-1-1 immediately!!
Hypothermia is the potentially life threatening lowering of body temperature due to exposure to the cold. As little as a four degree drop in core body temperature can result in hypothermia. Anyone who falls into water, whether ice is on the surface or not, can suffer from hypothermia.
The signs and symptoms of hypothermia include:
1. Loss of sensation in extremities such as fingers, toes, ears, and nose.
2. Shivering or shivering stops.
3. Disorientation, drowsiness, and apathy.
4. Slurred speech.
5. Loss of coordination.
Treatments for hypothermia include:
1. Calling 9-1-1 immediately.
2. Moving indoors and out of the cold.
3. Removing any cold or wet clothing.
4. Covering with a blanket.
5. Applying warm, not hot, compresses to the neck, chest wall, and groin areas.
6. Keep the patient warm and calm until help arrives.
Do Not:
1. Use hot water or submerge the person in hot water.
2. Give alcoholic drinks to the patient.
For further information, go to www.metrokc.gov/HEALTH/disaster/hypothermia.htm ###
Media Contact: Captain Kyle Ohashi, City of Kent
253-856-4481 office
206-972-4082 cell
253-856-4488 media line
Bbarta 15:35, 24 January 2008 (PST)Bob BartaBbarta 15:35, 24 January 2008 (PST)
Shoreline Environmental Stewardship
The Habitat Team Wants to Hear from You
"We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. - But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy." -- Wallace Stegner
Our species has destroyed a lot of healthy environment. Will you help us find ways to save some of it? Please read the attached letter and let us hear from you. -- Sincerely,
Hello Everyone,
This year we began down the path toward Community Certification with great expectations. It has been a year of finding our way and getting things started. We’ve handed out lots of literature and have several activities in progress. And we have grown the number of certified backyard/balcony habitats in Shoreline from 90 to 160. That’s a 77% increase in just a few months. We are on our way!
The Habitat Team will soon be meeting to begin planning for 2008 and we want your help! Would you please spend a little time to think about what you would like to see changed in and around our city and let us know about it? Maybe it’s getting rid of ivy that has begun producing berries that spread it everywhere. Or some summer activities kids can do to help make a difference while they’re out of school. Are you business certified, or how about your local schoolyard habitat?
Please send your thoughts, no matter loosely a business owner who wants help getting your defined, to birdsbeesfishtrees@gmail.com We promise to read and consider each one. Any not used now will be retained for future consideration. The City of Shoreline is our habitat and we want it healthier for all!
Here’s a little more information about what’s ` We have begun work to improve the wetland function of Ronald Bog by clearing invasive plants and putting it natives. This work will continue into nest year. When finished, it will be our first demonstration garden; a place to see and learn about many of the plants native to our habitat. Everyone will be able watch the plants grow and read about how they help sustain local wildlife. These plantings will bring more wildlife to park for all of us to watch as well. Birds will find good shelter where they can nest and raise young, the many berry plants installed will provide great food, and of course, the bog will provide essential water. Without the helping hands of hard working volunteers to clear and replant this area, none of this could happen. Thanks each person who has helped in way.
Very soon we will begin the data collection of color-banded birds to learn how year-‘round resident chickadees move within our community. This will provide information that is not now available and will help better understand just how and where our habitat improvements make a difference.
In the spring, we will launch a Champion Tree Quest in search of the biggest trees in Shoreline Parks. Once again, this will provide information not now available and create a fun way to learn more about both, our parks and our native trees.
Thanks for your ongoing interest. We look forward to working together with you soon. And remember to repair, reuse and recycle 1st.
Sincerely,
Boni Biery Shoreline's Community Wildlife Habitat Team Coordinator birdsbeesfishtrees@gmail.com
URL for City of Shoreline information and community events
HTNA-10-21-2007- Fremont Trail Environmental Stewardship Project Report
From Mrs. Gloria Bryce, project leader: 10-13-2007 work party report:
It was a great work party with a dozen participants. We dug out blackberries and weeds, put in plants that weren't available in the spring, spread additional mulch on the west side of the trail (the mulch pile is gone for the winter) and planted several hundred bulbs for spring color.
I've turned in receipts to the City for $147.56 so they will be sending the check to the Highland Terrace Neighborhood, as they don't do direct reimbursements. According to my calculations, we've spent $3,651.94 on the Fremont Trail project so didn't spend $848.06 of our grant money. I think it is money well spent to improve the safety and walk ability of our neighborhood. It is so rewarding to see how much use the trail gets. The neighborhood has put in about 470 hours worth of labor on the project so more than met our committed match and the year isn't over yet!
Sincerely yours, Gloria Bryce
The public is cordially invited to walk the new Fremont Trail at 160th and Fremont Pl. N.
The Fremont Trail, at 160th and Fremont Pl. N.is an inviting Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Team project tended by the Forest Villa Condominium and Town homes Association members and neighbors living near the trail.
You will see the native plants, the lawn, the daffodils (in season) and walk on a pervious-concrete four foot wide sidewalk-trail; no mud-puddles. The Fremont Trail is a pleasant place to exercise your feet and refresh your brain. While there, be sure to stop at the "Turtle Pond" at the North end of the trail and stack some "turtle" stones. Stone stacking is technically known as “Cairn Art”.
For more information about what other activities are in progress at the Fremont Trail click on "Community Portal" in the "navigator" on the left side of this page; then scroll down to “Fremont Trial” and click to open that page for more information
Environmental Stewardship—Fremont Trail Work-party
Report by Fremont Trail project, Mrs Gloria Bryce:
A fun way to make the neighborhood look nice and get to meet your neighbors and have some fun.
Eight neighborhood people pitched in at the Saturday, April 5th, work party and put in a total of 27 hours doing spring cleaning on the Fremont Trail area. Blackberries were dug up, branches picked up, weeds cleaned out, ferns trimmed and plants tended. It's so rewarding to see all the buds and new growth on the native plants. The daffodils are blooming and there are lots of budding tulips that should begin showing their color soon. Work party attendees had lots of cookies and cupcakes provided by those who were not able to help physically.
Thanks to all that came to help and have fun and lots of fresh air. Gloria Bryce
P.S. from Bob Barta, Dir. HTNA
Please visit the Fremont Trail located at 160th St. and Fremont Pl. N. Just North of the Sears store. Enter on the West side of the Forest Villa Trail. Two years ago this was an almost impassible pathway. With the help of 40 Shoreline Public Works employees who donated 4+ hours of their time, each, and a number of Highland Terrace neighbors this trail was created. Also take note of the pervious concrete walking trail. Look for the new native species plantings. In mid-April the daffodils are in blossom along the trail. A very peaceful and easy walk. Thanks to the Highland Terrace neighbors and especially the Forest Villa Neighborhood Association who residents who providing the leadership and lawn care. Stop at the North end “turtle pone” and stack some boulders. Carin Art is what that is called.
Environmental Stewardship helps to keep our neighborhood healthy and a pleasant place in which to live.
Best Regards to all, Bob Barta Dir. HTNA
P.S. On May 5th, 2008 we will be helping the Highland Terrace Elementary School PTA continue to rescue the school forest at l160th and Greenwood Ave. N. 10 AM to noon. If you are brining children, 10 AM to Noon with a pizza picnic at noon. Bring a gardening tool like a shovel, a rake, a lopping shear. Some ltools provided.
Highland Terrace Neighborhood Mission, Goals and Benchmarks for achievement
HIGHLAND TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION AND BLOCK WATCH
September 1st 2006 to August 31st 2007
MISSION:
Achieving and maintaining a Safe, Pleasant and Emergency Ready Neighborhood for Shoreline City's Highland Terrace Neighborhood.
GOALS:
1. Encourage a sense of community and neighborhood awareness.
2. Serve as a representative voice and advocate for Highland Terrace Neighborhood
3. Conduct meetings in an open dialogue environment to inform residents of current City of Shoreline policies and actions that concern the Highland Terrace Neighborhood
4. Encourage opportunities for public service through neighborhood stewardship projects, becoming an officer or representative for the HTNA, forming a Block Watch, be a Block Watch leader, practice Block-watchfulness techniques, attend HTNA & BW meetings and other community activities published at www.highland-terrace.org. and at the Shoreline City Website http://www.ci.shoreline.wa.us/
• Methods of Communicating with Highland Terrace Neighborhood Residents:
1. HTNA & BW website: www.highland-terrace.org
2. HTNA & BW email-newsletter
3. HTNA & BW annual information brochure/newsletter mailed to 1055+ households
4. HTNA & BW general membership meetings Sept., Nov., January, March, May
5. Doorstep publicity flyers for calling special HTNA activities and meetings.
6. Officers and H.T.N.A. citizens advocate at Shoreline City Council meetings
7. Officers and citizens advocate at Shoreline City Planning Commission meetings
8. Officers advocate for the H.T.N. citizens at the Shoreline City Council of Neighborhoods meetings
HTNA ACTIVITIES THAT HELP ACHIEVE NEIGHBORHOOD GOALS
Benchmarking Achievement of Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association & BW Goals:
1. HTNA & BW Officers and Representatives regularly attend the Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods meetings to advocate for the neighborhood wellbeing.
2. Encourage participation in environmental stewardship projects at the Fremont Trail project located at 160th and Fremont Pl. N. Check current activities at www.highland-terrace.org
3. Encourage participation in environmental stewardship projects at the Living Classroom located at 160t and Greenwood Ave. N. Check current activities at www.highland-terrace.org
4. Encourage citizen involvement in Emergency Ready Neighborhood activities such as preparing a survival kit(s) for themselves and their families. Info. at www.highland-terrace.org and at www.shorelinewa.gov Also encourage participation in emergency readiness neighborhood mapping, sign up for CERT, Citizens Emergency Response Training with the Shoreline Fire Dept.
5. Annual review of HTNA By-Laws, Officers, Representatives & interested citizens.
6. Create and maintain a Block Watch and or practice caring and supportive Neighborhood Watchfulness to maintain a safe and pleasant neighborhood.
7. Neighborhood public places stewardship projects such as monthly street trash cleanup parties.
8. Encourage attendance at City Council meetings policy and decision making meetings: Check City Council Agenda and schedule at http://www.ci.shoreline.wa.us/
9. Encourage attendance at Shoreline Planning Commission land use meetings: Check Planning Commission schedule at http://www.ci.shoreline.wa.us/
10. Record and or attend City Council meetings. Meeting broadcasts are on Channel 21. For airing times go to Channel #21 for specific information.
13. Contact Shoreline City Council to express opinions about neighborhood issues that require policy-making action. Scott Passey spassey@ci.shoreline.wa.us Request Scott to pass along your concerns to the City Council members.
14. Encourage citizens to regularly visit the Shoreline City website http://www.ci.shoreline.wa.us/
15. Encourage regularly visits the HTNA & BW website www.highland-terrace.org
16. In cooperation with the Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods Outreach Coordinator create. produce and mail an annual neighborhood informational brochure/newsletter for every household in the Highland Terrace Neighborhood.
17. Maintain a neighborhood website to encourage participation in achieving neighborhood goals and to encourage participation in Shoreline City activities. Bbarta 15:40, 11 September 2007 (PDT)Bob BartaBbarta 15:40, 11 September 2007 (PDT)
Highand Terrace Neighborhood Association annual Brochure
2007-2008 Speaker Series
The Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association (HTNA) is proud to present a series of speakers to address current topics that affect our lives. Please join a conversation with your neighbors on interesting topics.
September 11, 2007 David Endicott, Executive Director, Forward Shoreline Forward Shoreline's primary goal is to promote a vision for pride and investment in the city and to help identify suitable private sector partners to redevelop commercial sectors in Shoreline.
Topic: Developing partnerships between groups (neighborhood associations, schools, civic groups etc.) to work together on beneficial neighborhood improvements.
November 13, 2007 Rachael Markle, Assistant Director Planning and Development Services, City of Shoreline
Topic: Review of Shoreline Community College Master Plan Review of the history, timing and major issues associated with master planning of the Shoreline Community College site.
January 8, 2007 Kierdwyn Cataldo, Member, City of Shoreline Housing Citizen Advisory Committee and Highland Terrace resident
Topic: Recommendations of the Housing Citizen Advisory Committee The mission of the Housing Advisory Committee is to identify preferred housing strategies for the City of Shoreline in planning for housing choices and affordability for current and future residents.
March 11, 2008 Topic: How to establish a Wildlife Habitat Project in your backyard The goals of the Wildlife Habitat Project are to reconnect local wildlife corridors and to connect people to nature. Speaker: volunteer from the project
May 13, 2008
Topics: 1. Neighborhood Environmental Stewardship Project – speaker from the City of Shoreline
2. Election of Officers of Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association
Meeting Schedule Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association & Block Watch meets 2nd Tuesday of the months of September, November, January, March and May 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Highland Terrace Elementary N 160th St & 1st Ave NW Library Annex Room Parking available in front. Go through main entrance, turn left down hall to library annex.
Neighborhood Web Site
Please visit our neighborhood Web site for information on neighborhood activities. The site is based on “wiki” technology, which allows you, a resident, to add remarks or thoughts to discussion items at www.highland-terrace.org.
Neighborhood Association Officers Bob Barta, Director Greg Logan, Assistant Director Nancy Wyen, Secretary Allan Bennett and Nate Cataldo, representatives to the City of Shoreline Council of Neighborhoods
Stay Informed To receive neighborhood email news, send your email address to: bbarta@appleisp.net and put “HTNA” (Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association) in the subject line.
How to Build Community When neighbors undertake an activity together, they get to know one another and build ties. You can:
• Start a Block Watch – call Westside Neighborhood Police Center (206) 546-3636 • Become a Ready Neighborhood – to schedule a volunteer to help your block get ready for an emergency, call Gail Marsh, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at (206) 546-7873. • Lead a neighborhood cleanup – call City of Shoreline Customer Response Team at (206) 546-8564 to arrange city support and garbage pick up. • Visit www.highland-terrace.org and click on Current Events to find neighborhood and City of Shoreline events and activities. • Create a backyard wildlife habitat sanctuary. Visit www.nwf.org/bwh. •Learn more about Neighborhood and Environmental Mini-Grants – call Nora Smith, Neighborhood Coordinator at (206) 546-8564.
Neighborhood Mission Maintain a safe, a pleasant and an emergency ready neighborhood.
Neighborhood Goals:
-Encourage a sense of community & neighborhood awareness.
-Serve as a representative voice and advocate for the Highland Terrace Neighborhood.
-Conduct meetings in an open dialogue environment to inform residents of current City of Shoreline policies.
-Provide opportunities for public service.
Shoreline Environmental Stewardship
The Habitat Team Wants to Hear from You
"We are the most dangerous species of life on the planet, and every other species, even the earth itself, has cause to fear our power to exterminate. - But we are also the only species which, when it chooses to do so, will go to great effort to save what it might destroy." -- Wallace Stegner
Our species has destroyed a lot of healthy environment. Will you help us find ways to save some of it? Please read the attached letter and let us hear from you. -- Sincerely,
Hello Everyone,
This year we began down the path toward Community Certification with great expectations. It has been a year of finding our way and getting things started. We’ve handed out lots of literature and have several activities in progress. And we have grown the number of certified backyard/balcony habitats in Shoreline from 90 to 160. That’s a 77% increase in just a few months. We are on our way!
The Habitat Team will soon be meeting to begin planning for 2008 and we want your help! Would you please spend a little time to think about what you would like to see changed in and around our city and let us know about it? Maybe it’s getting rid of ivy that has begun producing berries that spread it everywhere. Or some summer activities kids can do to help make a difference while they’re out of school. Are you business certified, or how about your local schoolyard habitat?
Please send your thoughts, no matter loosely a business owner who wants help getting your defined, to birdsbeesfishtrees@gmail.com We promise to read and consider each one. Any not used now will be retained for future consideration. The City of Shoreline is our habitat and we want it healthier for all!
Here’s a little more information about what’s ` We have begun work to improve the wetland function of Ronald Bog by clearing invasive plants and putting it natives. This work will continue into nest year. When finished, it will be our first demonstration garden; a place to see and learn about many of the plants native to our habitat. Everyone will be able watch the plants grow and read about how they help sustain local wildlife. These plantings will bring more wildlife to park for all of us to watch as well. Birds will find good shelter where they can nest and raise young, the many berry plants installed will provide great food, and of course, the bog will provide essential water. Without the helping hands of hard working volunteers to clear and replant this area, none of this could happen. Thanks each person who has helped in way.
Very soon we will begin the data collection of color-banded birds to learn how year-‘round resident chickadees move within our community. This will provide information that is not now available and will help better understand just how and where our habitat improvements make a difference.
In the spring, we will launch a Champion Tree Quest in search of the biggest trees in Shoreline Parks. Once again, this will provide information not now available and create a fun way to learn more about both, our parks and our native trees.
Thanks for your ongoing interest. We look forward to working together with you soon. And remember to repair, reuse and recycle 1st.
Sincerely,
Boni Biery Shoreline's Community Wildlife Habitat Team Coordinator birdsbeesfishtrees@gmail.com
Thank you "Living Classroom" Environmental Stewardship Volunteers on 6-23-'07"
Thanks you to all the Washington Mutual adults volunteers, other neighborhoord adults, and parents with their children who helped clear invasive plants from the Living Classroom project at 160-th and Greenwood Ave. N. After the two hour workparty we all enjoyed a hot dog picnic hosted by Mrs. Tiia Barrett. Mr. Tracy Owen roasted the hot dogs. Thanks to Tiia and Tracey for their delicious efforts.
The forest is nearly ready for planting native species to replace the invasive ivy and berry vines.
Another preparation work-party-picnic is being planned for late September 07 and planting of native species to help recover this marvelous community asset. The Highland Terrace Elementary School is planning to include the Living Classroom in their natural science elements of their curriculum.
If you are interested in joining this wonderful environmental recovery effort, please watch this page for announcements.
Thanks again to all who volunteered. There were about 60 helpers which included parents with their children.
Bbarta 09:37, 24 June 2007 (PDT)Bob Barta
SHORELINE HOPELINK HELPS THOSE IN NEED
From: beth green <brosegreen@yahoo.com> Date: 2007May04 12:54:25 PM PDT To: Bob Barta, Director: HTNA bbarta@appleisp.net Subject: Highland Terrace Neighborhood Association community outreach.
Bob, Thanks for taking my call regarding food drives. I am part of a committee to educate our community about the hunger insecurities our residents have and the new food bank, Hopelink, located next to Marshall's. In our school district almost 1900 children receive free and reduced price lunches, 1 in 6 children. When schools get out for the summer these children no longer have access to these free and reduced price lunches, burdening their families with greater food needs. Unfortunately, summer and fall are low food donation times at the food bank, stressing Hopelink in their quest to help these families. Also 30% of the the people accessing Hopelink in Shoreline are our senior citizens. We in the Food Drive Committee have identified the neighborhoods as groups who might be interested in supporting our food bank. Can you post on your community web site information on Hopelink and its need for food and monetary donations and/or ask your community to bring a bag of food to your next neighborhood event.
Hopelink has all the supplies you need to host a food
drive, feel free to contact them if you are interested. Thank you, Beth Green, 533-9929
[[HTNA-02-14-2006-Fremont Trail Workparty Report
From Mrs. Gloria Bryce, project leader: 10-13-2007 work party report:
It was a great work party with a dozen participants. We dug out blackberries and weeds, put in plants that weren't available in the spring, spread additional mulch on the west side of the trail (the mulch pile is gone for the winter) and planted several hundred bulbs for spring color.
I've turned in receipts to the City for $147.56 so they will be sending the check to the Highland Terrace Neighborhood, as they don't do direct reimbursements. According to my calculations, we've spent $3,651.94 on the Fremont Trail project so didn't spend $848.06 of our grant money. I think it is money well spent to improve the safety and walk ability of our neighborhood. It is so rewarding to see how much use the trail gets. The neighborhood has put in about 470 hours worth of labor on the project so more than met our committed match and the year isn't over yet!
Sincerely yours, Gloria Bryce
Bbarta 15:00, 22 October 2007 (PDT)bob bartaBbarta 15:00, 22 October 2007 (PDT)
Controlling Rats Without Poisons
http://www.pesticide.org/pubs/alts/rodents/rats.html Aw, rats!
Along with cockroaches and lima beans, most people put rats on their short list of "Things I Hate." And in this case, for some good reasons. Rats eat our food and contaminate it with urine and droppings, carry and spread diseases, and will bite if threatened. This fact sheet will bring you up to speed on rats and how to control them without using poisons.
Identification
There are two species of rats found in the Pacific Northwest, Norway rats and roof rats, and they are different enough in their habits that it can be important to know which is which.1
Norway rats, sometimes called brown or sewer rats, are large stocky burrowing rodents. Their burrows are found along building foundations, beneath woodpiles, and in moist areas in and around gardens and fields. When Norway rats invade buildings, they usually remain in the basement or ground floor. They are found throughout the United States.2
Roof rats, also called black rats, are smaller and sleeker than Norway rats and have much longer tails. Roof rats are agile climbers and usually live and nest above ground in shrubs, trees, and dense vegetation. In buildings, they are most often found above ground level in attics, walls, false ceilings, and cabinets. The roof rat prefers milder climates and is usually found in areas along the West Coast, the Gulf Coast, and the southern East Coast. There may be both Norway rats and roof rats in the same area. 2,3
Biology and Behavior
Both Norway rats and roof rats are mostly active at night. They make up for poor eyesight with keen senses of hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Rats constantly explore their environment and quickly detect and tend to avoid new objects, including traps. Roof rats are particularly wary.4
Rats gain entry to structures through cracks or by gnawing, climbing, jumping, or swimming through sewers. There is nothing like a rat swimming in your toilet to wake you up in the morning.2
Norway rats eat a wide variety of foods that follows closely the USDA recommended diet for humans--grains, meat, fish, nuts, and some fruit, (just a little weak on vegetables.) They may have four to six litters per year and may successfully wean 20 or more offspring annually.2
Roof rats also eat a wide variety of foods, but prefer fruits, nuts, berries, slugs, and snails. Their favorite habitats are attics, trees, and overgrown shrubbery or vines, riverbanks and streams. Roof rats prefer to nest in locations off the ground. They can sometimes be seen at night running along overhead utility lines or fence tops. The average litter size is three to five with from five to eight young in each litter.2
Damage
Rats cause damage in several different ways. Foremost, they eat and contaminate human food and animal feed, and damage containers and packaging materials in which they are stored. Rats can gnaw on and damage electrical wires, wooden, plastic, and wallboard building materials, and tear up insulation in walls and ceilings for nesting.2
Norway rats may undermine building foundations and slabs with their burrowing activities. If roof rats are living in the attic of a residence, they can cause considerable damage with their gnawing and nest-building activities. They also damage garden crops and ornamental plantings.2
Rats can spread diseases to people, among them murine typhus, trichinosis, salmonellosis, plague, and ratbite fever. The Black Plague in medieval Europe can be pinned on rats, and their fleas.
Monitoring
Other than seeing the rat itself, there are a number of ways in which you may become aware that there is a rat problem: • Food is disappearing! Packages are being torn open. • You may see rat droppings. These are up to 3/4 inch long and pointed at each end, (more than twice as big as mouse droppings).1 • Look for rat holes. Try stuffing them lightly with newspaper for 24 hours (or longer) to see if they are active.4 • After dusk, you may hear noises in the attic or see creatures that don't look like squirrels running on telephone wires or fences. • You may find nests in firewood piles or burrows in compost piles. • Smudge marks on rafters, joists and walls that rats rub against are a tell-tale sign. • Rats gnaw to keep their teeth sharp and will leave teeth-marks on wood. • Urine stains. These fluoresce under "black lights," useful to know if you have a problem in a warehouse.4
Managing Rats Problems
It takes a three-pronged approach to control rats: Rat-proofing, good sanitation and trapping. Rat-proofing is the most important of the three. If rats can't get in, you don't have a problem. Good sanitation is a close second. With nothing to eat, rats are unlikely to stay even if they are able to get in. Trapping should only be necessary if you haven't rat-proofed.
1. Rat-Proofing
Rats can and do enter homes in every possible way. Any crack greater than 1/2 inch leaves your home vulnerable to rats.2 To be effective, rat-proofing must be thorough. Consider hiring a handyman if you don't have the time or interest to do it right.
The basic idea of rat-proofing is to seal all cracks wherever you find them on the outside of your home with rat -proof materials such as wire mesh, or sheet metal. Caulking and wood are rat-resistant but not necessarily rat-proof.
Pay special attention to utility entry points. Make sure vent covers and all windows and screens are tightly in place and that there is good flashing around doors. Chimneys should be covered with spark arrestors.2 Pet doors make an easy entryway for rats. Consider closing them at night.
There are many good resources available for tips on how to rat-proof. Start with your local Cooperative Extension. The University of Nebraska has available online and in print a publication called, "Rodent-proof Construction and Exclusion Methods" with many good ideas.5
2 . Sanitation
Rats like many of the same foods you and your pets do. If you are relaxed about your housekeeping, the bad news is you are going to have to get serious. • Store all food in tightly sealed containers. Keep fresh fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator. Do the dishes every night, if not immediately after each meal. Don't leave pet food bowls out overnight.1 • Have garbage and garden debris collected frequently. Make sure garbage cans have tight fitting lids. Compost piles are giant buffet tables for rats. If you compost food scraps, rat-proof a bin or buy a rodent-resistant backyard composter. 6 • Sanitation also needs to take place in the yard. Woodpiles should be stored off the ground. Shrubbery can be thinned and pruned up off the ground too. Trees should be pruned back at least two feet from roofs. Dense ground covers like ivy should also be thinned or removed.
3 . Trapping
When it comes to choosing between trapping and baiting, trapping wins hands down. Baiting can lead to poisoning of non-targeted animals, including your pets and children, and can lead to odor problems when rats die in inaccessible areas.1
That said, trapping rats is not necessarily easy. Never underestimate the craftiness of a rat! Rats have a natural suspicion of new things and will not just jump into your traps and die. It may take several days before they even sniff at the trap, so don't be impatient.
There are several tricks to be successful trapping. First, use lots of traps. A dozen or more snap traps around the home is not excessive. Multiple traps provide multiple opportunities to trap rats. Make sure you buy the bigger rat traps and not mouse traps. Both the traditional snap trap and the newer trap with a plastic expanded treadle work fine. Live traps are not recommended for rats. (Do you really want to release a rat?)
Be careful handling rat traps. They can hurt you if you get snapped. Place traps where children and pets will not go. Traps can be enclosed in boxes with "doors" cut into them.
Placement is key. The closer to where the gnawing, droppings, and food-thievery is taking place, the better. Traps should usually be placed against and perpendicular to walls, so they can catch a rat traveling in either direction. The exception is with roof rats where the trap may need to be screwed into a tree or in a rafter to get it close to the high-climbing roof rat.3
The type of bait matters too. Peanut butter is the reliable bait of choice. Nuts, dried fruit, bacon and gum drops can be used with or instead of peanut butter. Tying the bait to the trap may help rats with a "light touch" from stealing the bait. Also, the bait can be attached to the underside of the trigger device to make it even harder to steal.2
The most important part of trapping is to not set the trap initially! Let the rats explore the unset trap for a while, and take the bait a couple times, before you set the trap. This will increase your odds dramatically.2
What Not To Do
Other methods for the most part should be avoided. Traps that electrocute are more expensive but no more effective than snap traps. Glueboards are considered inhumane by many people. Repellants generally don't work. Nor do various electronic and sound emitting devices.2 The bottom line: Stick to trapping.
Homeowners should not use baits. If there is a very serious pest problem, it may be time to call in a handyman or a pest control professional to help "tighten the ship" and set up and maintain a trapping program. The Health Department can help deal with neighborhood-wide problems.
References 1 Hovanic, Cathi et al. 2007. Rats and mice. Gardening in Western Washington. Wash. St. Univ. Extension. http://gardening.wsu.edu/library/comm001/comm001.htm 2 Salmon, T. P. et al. 2003. Rats. Pest Notes Publ. 74106. U.C. Agriculture and Natural Resources. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74106.html 3 Marsh, R. 2006. Roof rats: Damage, prevention, and control methods. Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. http://icwdm.org/handbook/rodents/RoofRats.asp 4 Olkowski. W. et al. 1991. Common-sense pest control. Taunton Press. Newtown, CT. 5 Multnomah County Health Dept. 2003. About rats. Portland, OR. http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/health/vector/rats.htm 6 Baker, R.O. et al. 1994. Rodent-Proof Construction and Exclusion Methods. Cooperative Extension Division. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdmhandbook/27/ [click on "Download the Document"]
Stein, Dan. "Controlling Rats Without Poisons."
Eugene, OR: Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides, April 2007.
Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides PO Box 1393, Eugene OR 97440-1393 info@pesticide.org Ph. 541-344-5044 Fax 541-344-6923
