Rats eating my stored grain in the godown, how do I control them?

Rats cause double damage in stores: what they eat plus the much larger amount they spoil with droppings, urine, hair and gnawing, which also fails quality checks. Good rodent control combines blocking, cleaning and trapping rather than relying on poison alone. First, deny them entry and shelter: seal cracks and holes in walls and floor, fit metal sheets or rat guards, keep doors tight, and clear weeds, rubbish and burrows around the godown where they nest. Second, deny them food and cover: stack bags on raised pallets away from walls with gaps so you can inspect, do not leave spilled grain, and store in rat-proof metal bins or thick containers where possible. Third, reduce numbers with snap traps or cage traps placed along their runways near walls, baited and checked daily; trapping is safe and avoids poisoning risk. Use rodenticide baits only with great care, kept away from children, livestock and food, and follow the label, because poisons can harm non-target animals and leave dead rats that smell. Doing the blocking and sanitation first is what gives lasting control; traps alone fail if rats keep entering and feeding. Check with your agriculture office for the recommended rodent control schedule for stores in your area.