RATS! rodents and other urban vermin

Issue: In the context of highly limited space (urban gardens, community gardens), physical barriers are the most efficient and effective way to address rodent issues. Rodent Repellent Plants are too space and resource intensive, and don't necessarily guarantee unwanted guests.

Parameters: Cannot be too porous but needs to allow for light and access and water. Rats can jump and climb 3' high, burrow past 1 inch of space around plant base, chew through most organic material, landscape fabrics, etc. Rat Information Portal : http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/rats/home.shtml

Strategies: Limiting Access (Rat Root Route- Entry points for where rodents are getting in can be a tree in the sidewalk, finer mesh [hardware cloth or <.5"] at bottom of chainlinks) Limiting Food Sources (WASTE MANAGEMENT- Kids trash and Compost management, Feral Cat Poop) Limiting Habitat

Repellents: - high frequency rodent deterrent (Jury is still out on the efficacy) Motion Sensor Lasers- have not yet invented this technology

Scales of Intervention: >>> PHYSICAL 1. GARDEN Fence around entire Garden Challenge: Infrastructure and Cost too high?

1. SECTION / ENCLOSURE Greenhouse/Cage (see SustyQ Images - Hardward Fabric Enclosed greenhouse) Pros: Prettiest and Feasible- Accessible Challenges: -Birds can get in there if not properly sealed

   • May not be cost or scale appropriate
   • Less Mobile, More permanent, less flexible

2. PLANT BED a) Raised Bed Cage Advantages- Nomadic, individual bed- scale appropriate Applicable to many different contexts and scales Cheap-ish, easy to make b) Lining Edge of Bed with glass bottles, cats knock over and scare themselves away Challenges- -Specific Bed Sizes- not super flexible -Wire Constraints on plant growth and health -Light Blocking -Safety and Access for open flaps -Hinged -http://youtu.be/v6j3hCUi-zo Concerns- Blocking light? Aesthetics Material Source Accessibility? (Children Community

3. SOIL a) Enclosing bermed soil with underlayer of hardware fabric. b)Single Top Enclosure with Hardware Fabric and cutting out holes around plants, cutting back as plant grows Challenges: -Cutting back as you go is labor intensive -Once per year/growing cycle, can't really reuse- so more cost intensive material intensive

Coil Cage/Plant specific -Hardware Fabric Strips Challenge: MUST CONNECT TOGETHER- because rats can move strips apart if we can move strips

MATERIAL RESOURCES! Build It Green!

contributors: Eric Brelsford Tess Diamond Katherine Chiu Anandi Premlall Janet Broughton Emily Vaughn Hallie Chen