Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

A brief review of deratization carried out in Budapest (2 million inhabitants) is given. As a result of an extensive eradication project initial infestation level of premises amounting to 331 decreased below 0.5%. Materials and techniques employed for the preservation of a rat free state as well as the method how to determine the size of the remainder of the rat population are described. "Idealized premises" were introduced allowing comparison between rat infestations of various areas. Report on the relationship between rat population and temperature, on the areal dispersion of population and on how re-infestation occurs. Finally, conclusions are drawn based on the favorable results achieved.