Rats, rats as big as bloomin' cats

Modingoane said the city's pest control operators visited business premises and attended to complaints from communities on a daily basis.

"The City of Johannesburg is using three natural ways to eradicate rats, which include owls, rat cages and fumigation. Prevention is, however, the best solution for rat control," he says.

"We have to eliminate the conditions in which the rodents thrive and for this we need the active co-operation of all the residents of Johannesburg," Modingoane said.

"Illegal dumping and the careless disposal of food and waste are still the primary causes of rodent infestations. These attract rodents and provides them with a comfortable environment to nest and continue breeding fast," he said.

He says Johannesburg's residents can contribute to the "battle against the rats" by taking a number of practical steps:

• Household waste should be wrapped in plastic bags and placed in waste containers provided by Pikitup;
• Dustbins must be kept closed;
• Dirty dishwater containing scraps of food must not be poured into catch pits or in open spaces;
• Open spaces, vacant land and parks should be kept clean and free from rubble as it provides a fertile environment for rats;

• Buildings should be "rat-proofed" to prevent the rodents from gaining access.

Modingoane said any public health nuisances that might contribute towards breeding rodents should be reported to the City of Johannesburg environmental health (pest control) operators.

Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge