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Hi Hans,
Once you have had a rat infestation there is good reason it will happen again.
The main reason that rats appear is for a food source.
Do not leave dog food out at night. Nut trees in your yard or neighbour's is a rat magnet. Neighbour leaving dog food out will cause you to have rats as well.
The worst is a chook coop.
To prevent a repeat infestation, baits need to be placed in the yard. At Bunnings they sell plastic bait safety stations. Only one is needed.
Place only a small amount of bait in it. When it eventually disappears, panic. Oops, no. Add more bait. A little each time. It will stop being consumed as dead rats don't eat.
Make sure that a dog or possum can not upset the station. It can be secured by screwing it to a large timber plank or similar. Out of the rain.
This works very well I have installed hundreds in my time.
The reason for only a small amount of bait is twofold. Safety and less wastage. Bait goes off after a few months in the open. Safety: A dog has a good chance of surviving if it has consumed only a small amount.
1% by body weight is highly dangerous to a dog. 20gms consumed by a 5 Kg dog will make it sick, but stands a good chance of survival.
That now takes care of the safety aspects and of preventative measures of reinfestation. Except fussy rats. Change baits for them and add very small amounts of peanut paste or crushed nuts.
Cheers
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