Objective To investigate the awareness of basic knowledge of rodent control and prevention among rural residents in Weifang, China, and to provide a basis for developing and perfecting rodent control and deratization strategies in rural areas. Methods A random number table was used to select 630 residential households from the counties and districts of Weifang, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among these residents. The chi-square test was used for data analysis by SPSS 17.0 software. Results Of all residents, 60.0% reported that they still had rodents in their homes, and there was a significant difference in the survival of rodents between the counties and districts (χ²=69.126, P=0.000). The awareness rate of rodent control and prevention among these residents was 42.7%, and there was a significant difference in the awareness of rodent control and prevention among the counties and districts (χ²=154.521, P=0.000). There were also significant differences in the awareness of rodent harm and rodent-borne diseases and the awareness and use of rodent control and prevention measures between the counties and districts (all P<0.05). Conclusion There is a low awareness rate of standard rodent control and prevention measures among rural residents in Weifang, with poor implementation of standard rodent control and prevention measures.