Ratting Equipment

You don't need most of this stuff, but it sure looks professional.


NOTE: In practice, you will need almost none of this equipment, but we're supplying a complete list for the technophiles and gear-heads. Recommended for the real world: a leash with a snap ring at either end, a nice walking stick (can be cut on site), a set of leather gloves, a small squirt bottle of bleach, and a bar of soap.

 

Dog Stuff:

  • Stake-out leashes for your terriers.

  • Water bottle and pan (for both dogs and people).

  • Blanket for your dog when it is staked out in cold weather or to lie on if injured.


Tools to Find, Force, and Dig Rats:

  • Several strong flashlights,
  • A good map of the area.
  • Shovel.
  • Long pry bar or stick to move trash, poke into holes, etc.
  • Smoke bombs and blower, or a hose to attach to a car or other oil-spewing small engine such as a chainsaw.
  • Matches for bombs and fuel for engine, as appropriate.

 

Rat Stuff:

  • Plastic bucket for dead rats.
  • Traps or nets (women's hose) for live rat catching.
  • Plastic bucket with top for live rats.
  • Rat Tongs (old salad tongs).


Medical Stuff:

  • Phone number and address of the nearest local vet (always have a good idea of where the nearest vet is located).
  • Tweezers.
  • Swiss army knife.
  • Hydrogen peroxide - which can also be used to make a dog vomit, if you need to.
  • 1 pair of hemostats (for removal of slivers, rat teeth, etc.).
  • Bottle of saline solution (to rinse eyes after working).
  • Tube of antiseptic ointment for use on the eyes or on scratches.
  • Small bottle of Clorox bleach to sterilize hands, instruments, etc.
  • Hand disinfectant in a bottle (diluted Clorox or 100% ethyl alcohol).
  • Snake bite kit.
  • Drugs (some are for you and some are for the dog): Pepto Bismol ; Sunscreen; Baby Aspirin ; Adult aspirin; Prednisone (this is a steroid, used if a dog has inflammation, or a bee sting, or something similar); Benadryl.
  • Scissors for tape.
  • Band-Aids.
  • Super glue to bond small wounds back together.
  • Gauze rap for larger wounds.
  • Tea bags, used as a compress on bleeding wounds.
  • 1 or 2 packages of gauze to cover cuts (pads or wrap).
  • Baby wipes, in small flat packages.
  • Elastoplast tape -- Very sticky, stretchy adhesive tape. Will hold a bandage on a dog's leg, etc.
  • 1 small bottle of betadyne solution.
  • Eye ointment.
  • 1 tube of Neosporin Plus.
  • Small supply of Q Tips.
  • Muzzle (to keep dog from biting during treatment if severely injured).

 

Misc. Stuff:

  • 2 pairs of rubber gloves
  • 2 pairs of leather gloves
  • Cellular Phone for vet or emergency
  • Clothing appropriate for conditions and terrain.
  • Wire cutters
  • Flashlights & backups
  • Insect Repellent
  • Loud warning siren (pressurized in a can) in case of danger (i.e. predatory humans)



Warning: Everyone needs to talk to their own vet, and make sure their dog is fully immunized against diseases. Everyone should know the basic symptoms of the diseases described. For more more information about common diseases carried by rats, click here.

 

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