page_title: Rat-catcher
section_title: Techniques
hierarchical_section_title: Rat-catcher / Techniques
caption_attribution_description: English: A silver gelatin photoprint of Professional ratcatchers in Sydney, Australia.
context_page_description: A rat-catcher is a person who practices rat-catching as a professional form of pest control.
  Keeping the rat population under control was practiced in Europe to prevent the spread of diseases, most notoriously the Black Plague, and to prevent damage to food supplies.
  In modern developed countries, such a professional is otherwise known as a pest control operative or pest exterminator.
context_section_description: Rat-catchers may attempt to capture rats themselves, or release "ratters", animals trained or naturally skilled at catching them. They may also set a rat trap or other traps.
  Modern methods of rat control include traps, poisoned bait, introducing predators, reducing litter and clearing of current or potential nest sites.
caption: Professional rat-catchers behind a pile of dead rats, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Sydney in 1900
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