Store bags of grass seed, dry pet food, and other similar items in rodent-proof containers. Inspect and repair damaged air vents, louvers, vent pipes and shafts, tile roofs, and gaps around the chimney. Never leave uneaten pet food outside overnight. Pick up all ripe fruits and vegetables. Install a pea gravel barrier to separate landscaping from the building foundation.
Rats dislike burrowing in loose gravel.
All food waste from the kitchen, cafeteria, and other areas should be drained and stored in sealed plastic bags. Repair leaky faucets and eliminate any other unnecessary standing water. Rinse all cans, bottles, and plastic containers before recycling or discarding. Make sure garbage can and dumpster lids seal tightly when closed. Ridding an Area of Rodents Prevention is by far the best way to deal with rodents, because once they infest an area, they must be killed, and there is no fool-proof method that produces a quick, painless death.