Rat-Proof Buildings

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 10, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 23.

Rat-Proof Buildings

THE recent elemental catastrophes — the cyclones in the Middle West, and the floods in that vast region watered by the Ohio — have destroyed many hundreds of buildings. Here, out of misfortune, much good should come. A timely appeal for the rat-proofing of dwellings and other buildings at present existing, under construction, or in contemplation, comes from the United States Public Health Service. Those about to erect a new building or repair an old one, whether of frame, brick, rock, concrete, or other construction, may learn from a recent bulletin issued from Washington what sanitary and economic benefits are to be derived from permanent rat-proofing; and measures to such ends should be demanded by prospective owners as a part of building contracts. The rat is far too prolific to be exterminated by such agencies as traps, poisons, gases, and the like. These may reduce the numbers of the rodents; but if there is food within reach, the surviving rats will have more to eat proportionally, and procreation will be stimulated the more. Rat extermination can be effective only by cutting off the rats' food supply. The bulletin contains all necessary information to this end, so far as relates to buildings. Those already erected can be rat-proofed by the closure of all natural or accidental openings; by being remodeled with material impervious to rats; by the removal of structures which will give refuge to rats; and by the protection or removal of foods which rats will eat.— Journal of the American Medical Association.