Assessing the association between brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) activity and food and harbourage characteristics in a residential community of a medium-sized United States city

Abstract

Rattus norvegicus (brown rat) is a host for several zoonoses. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides survey tools to ascertain prevalent rat food and harbourage (FAH) and activity (RA) to complement as integrated pest management strategies. The local health department in a medium-sized city assessed to what degree FAH surveys alone predicted where and when to deploy mitigating infestation interventions by determining (1) neighbourhood-specific food and harbourage prevalence; (2) neighbourhood-specific rat activity prevalence; and (3) whether food and harbourage survey alone could predict prevalent rat activity. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from lots (land parcels) in targeted survey areas. Area-specific survey means and proportions were compared and assessed for true differences. Multiple linear regression was used to construct an intervention decision tool. Investigators observed significantly different food and harbourage scores between control and target survey areas. The proportion of high activity scores was lower in control survey areas compared to the target survey area. FAH scores moderately predicted RA. FAH survey scores moderately predict rat activity in this community.

Keywords:

• rat
• pest
• survey
• regression
• local health agency
• urban

Acknowledgements

This investigation would not have been possible without the collaboration of Lexington-Fayette County Urban County Government departments, Mayors Teresa Issacs and James Newberry, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department Commissioner Melinda G. Rowe, and Environmental Specialist Nathan Powell.