Health Hygiene & Sanitation

Lesson 19 : Rodent Control

Classification Of Rodents

1. Domestic Rodents : The rodents of chief public health concern are those that live in close association with man, namely


• the black rat (Rattus rattus) and
• the Norway rat (R. noruegicus) and
• the house mouse (Mus musculus).


2. Wild Rodents : The common wild rodents in India are Tatera indica, Bandicota bengalensis varius (Gunomys kok), B.indica, Millardia meltada, M. gleadowi and Mus booduga.


• In India, Tatera indica has been found to be the natural reservoir of plague.