NAVMED P-5010-8 - Navy Medicine - U.S. Navy

8-44 CHAPTER 8. NAVY ENTOMOLOGY AND PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGY 8-44
(1) Norway Rat. The Norway, brown
or gray rat, Rattus norvegicus, is a comparatively
large animal, weighing approximately
280-480 gm (10-17 oz), with a tail that does not
exceed the combined length of head and body.
This rat is present wherever human activity
creates suitable harborages and there is an
adequate food supply. It prefers to burrow for
nesting and is mainly found in basements,
embankments, on lower floors of buildings, in
drains and sewer lines, and in the holds and
decks of ships. Preferred foods include meat,
fish, or flesh mixed with a diet of grains,
vegetables, and fruit. In the absence of these,
any foodstuffs may be eaten.
(2) Roof Rat. The gray bellied,
Alexandrian or roof rat, Rattus rattus
alexandrinus is a good climber and may be
found living in trees, vines, building lofts,
overhead wiring, and upper decks of ships. The
body is generally elongated, the ears are long
and the tail exceeds the combined length of the
head and body. There are many color and bodytype
variations. The black or ship rat, Rattus
rattus, a subspecies variant of the roof rat, Rattus
rattus alexandrinus, is an excellent climber and
is frequently found on ships. These rats prefer
seeds, cereals, vegetables, fruit and grass, but
may subsist on leather goods, chocolate, and
even weaker members of its own kind.
(3) House Mouse. The house mouse,
Mus musculus, is commonly associated with
man and may cause serious damage to foodstuffs
and other valuable materials. Various species of
field mice may on occasion enter habitations in
search of food and shelter, but they do not present
a major problem.
d. Control and Prevention of Rodents
Ashore. Rodent control programs should
include elimination of food and shelter, rodent
proofing of structures, use of rodenticides, and
glue boards and snap traps.
8-54
(1) Elimination of Food and Shelter.
Proper handling of food and prompt disposal of
garbage keeps food from being available and is
important in rodent control programs. Food storage
structures should be completely rodentproofed.
All supplies should be stockpiled on
elevated platforms so that no concealed spaces
exist. Garbage should be put in tightly covered
containers, which should be placed on concrete
slabs or platforms, and the area should be frequently
and carefully policed. If wet garbage must
be placed in landfills, the refuse should be completely
covered to prevent its use as a feeding
source for rodents.
(2) Rodent Proofing. Rodent proofing is
not generally feasible for troops in the field. However,
where structures are built, all necessary
openings should be covered with 28 gauge, 95 mm
(3/8 in) mesh galvanized hardware cloth, doors
should be self-closing, tight-fitting, and if giving
access to galleys and food storage rooms, equipped
with metal flashing along the base. Walls and
foundation should be of solid construction.
(3) Rodenticides. For destruction of
rodents in camp areas, the use of rodenticides can
be effective. Because most rodenticides are toxic
to man and domestic animals, they should be used
only by appropriately trained personnel. Single
dose anticoagulant compounds are the rodenticides
of choice under most conditions. These materials
prevent blood clotting and cause capillary damage,
which leads in most cases to internal hemorrhage,
resulting in death. At concentrations recommended
for rodent control, most anticoagulant agents
are not detectable or objectionable to rodents.
Brodifacoum and bromadiolone are two examples
of single dose anticoagulants.
(a) Adequate exposure to anticoagulant
baits is contingent on the establishment
of a sufficient number of protected bait stations.
This can be accomplished by placing tamper-proof
bait boxes in rooms or areas where there is a
potential for rodent activity. Every container of
poisoned bait should be labeled POISON with red
paint in English and in the local language if in a
non-English speaking area.
9 Nov 2004