Rodents cost the world economy billions annually in food losses and health costs. They carry and spread numerous severe and even deadly diseases.
Mice and rats enter facilities in search of food, water, and shelter. The best way to prevent them from entering is to maintain good sanitation in and around the facility. Contact Rodent Control Tampa now!
Rodents are nuisance pests, gnawing their way through wires and creating electrical fire hazards. They also spread disease by carrying bacteria such as salmonella and rat-borne hantavirus. They contaminate food and damage property by chewing through drywall, insulation, and flooring. Preventing rodents from entering homes is a priority.
The maxim that “Prevention is better than cure” applies to rodent infestations just as much as it does to any other pest problem. Taking steps to prevent rodents from invading residential and commercial buildings can reduce the need for rodent control chemicals.
Rodents are attracted to food and shelter, so reducing the availability of either of these resources can make a significant difference in whether or not an infestation develops. Strict hygienic practices must be observed, including storing food in rodent-proof containers, cleaning high traffic areas regularly and disposing of trash immediately. Buildings must be kept clean, free from discarded furniture and other clutter that can provide hiding places.
Sealing entry points is another important rodent prevention measure. Mice can fit through openings as small as a dime, and rats can enlarge holes to the size of a quarter, so regular checks are essential. Door sweeps and guards are often effective against rodent intrusions, as are screens over vents and chimneys. Exterior walls should be screened as well, especially where pipes enter the house.
Keeping shrubbery trimmed and avoiding ground covers that can conceal rodent nests are additional preventive measures. Removing potential shelters can make a building less attractive to mice and rats, which prefer dark, moist spaces that offer protection from predators.
In business facilities, ensuring that garbage is tightly sealed and that the facility and its surrounding grounds are free of debris can reduce rodent attraction. Emptying garbage cans regularly and storing them in rodent-proof bins will also help. Keeping outdoor storage racks away from walls and 18 inches above the ground can also make it easier to keep them clear of cluttered items that could serve as rodent shelter. Similarly, it’s important to remove old vehicles and other equipment from the property, as well as to keep grass trimmed away from walls.
Detecting Infestations
Rodents are attracted to homes and business where there is food, water and shelter. An infestation with mice or rats can cause food contamination, property damage and serious diseases that put people’s health at risk. Practicing the maxim of ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ can help prevent rodents from making homes, warehouses and grocery stores their own.
While a rat or mouse may seem to move about quietly and undetected, it is easy to see the signs of rodent activity in a house. Look for droppings near food packages, gnawed holes in walls and floors, stale smells from hidden areas and other indicators of an unwelcome presence.
Mice and rats are easily identified by their shape and color. A mouse has a pointy nose while a rat is rounded and usually charcoal or gray in color. They also have narrow tails while mice have a bit more hair. Another distinguishing feature is their continuously growing incisor teeth that require them to gnaw continually to prevent them from getting too long.
An additional sign of a rodent infestation is the presence of a urine odor. The odor is caused by the rodents’ excreta and can be strong even in small quantities. The urine of a large population can have a musky, rancid odor. The location of the odor is an important indicator of the type and severity of the infestation.
Another indicator of a rodent problem is tiny footprints left in dusty areas. The footprints are typically located up high where they can avoid detection by humans. Mice foot prints are shiny and have a putty-like texture while rat footprints are rough with torn edges.
To help deter rodents, close off access points by examining the foundation, attic, crawl spaces and doors. Seal any cracks and crevices, especially around pipe openings and soffits. Remove potential nesting sites, including leaf piles and deep mulch. Keep a buffer of at least 2 feet between landscaping and the house and keep compost piles away from the home. Also, avoid using ivy and other climbing plants on or around your house.
Treatment
If you suspect rodents are living in your home, you should act quickly to avoid a severe infestation. Look for gnawing, droppings and musky odors to spot the presence of rats or mice. Rodents can carry a variety of diseases and germs, including salmonella, rat-bite fever, hantavirus, renal syndrome and leptospirosis. They also chew through wires in homes, causing damage to appliances and electrical systems.
Rodents may be trapped or killed to control infestations. Snap traps are designed to capture and kill rodents, while cage-type traps catch the animals alive to be released outside. Poison baits in tamper-resistant bait stations are another way to eliminate rodents. The poisons used in rodenticides are effective, but they often have a terrible smell and can be dangerous to children and pets. If you choose to use these products, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on safety and dilution.
Other non-toxic remedies and repellents, such as peppermint oil and eco-friendly ultrasonic devices, can also deter rodents from gaining access to your home. Seal cracks and holes around your property to prevent rodents from entering. Mice can fit through holes the size of a dime, so it is important to check and repair small openings regularly.
In some cases, chemical rodent control methods are necessary to eliminate severe infestations that threaten human health or cause property damage. These chemicals can be applied by a pest control professional to homes, agricultural buildings and commercial facilities.
A licensed pest control expert can inspect your property to determine the root causes of your rodent infestation and develop a treatment plan. These strategies can include property inspection, exclusion, exterior rodent stations and vegetation management services.
The most important step in any rodent control program is prevention. Keep food and water sources away from your home, and regularly check for gaps, holes and cracks in your home’s foundation, sink and appliance pipes, the roof, vents, and under bushes or trees near your house. It is also important to keep your yard clean, and remove weeds and brush that can provide shelter to rodents. A buffer of at least 2 feet between landscaping and your home can help prevent rodents from climbing on to your home.
Prevention
Rodents can multiply quickly, producing thousands of offspring over a short period. A single rat’s collapsible skeleton means it can fit through a hole the size of a quarter. The rodent’s continuous need to gnaw can cause major structural damage to homes and personal belongings. It also puts families at risk from illnesses caused by rodent droppings and urine, saliva and nesting materials.
Rodents carry many diseases that can affect humans, including Salmonella infection, rat bite fever and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They can spread these diseases when people handle rodent feces or urine, eat contaminated food or breathe contaminated air. The rodents may also carry fleas, ticks and mites that can spread disease as well.
The best strategy for preventing rodent infestations is to keep homes and business clean, organized and free of clutter. Store food in sealed containers, place trash receptacles in rodent-proof enclosures and keep compost piles away from the home or office. Regular inspections can help identify and prevent rodents from getting into a building. In commercial facilities, inspect shipping and receiving areas, food service areas, attached garages, basements and exterior break rooms for signs of rodents. Inspect dumpsters and trash receptacles for rodent activity and keep them tightly closed, and monitor the area around them with rodent bait stations that contain an insoluble poison, such as brodifacoum, or an inert material, such as whole wheat, which will be destroyed by rain.
In addition, the exterior of a building should be regularly checked for cracks, crevices and holes that can allow rodents to enter. Doors should be properly sweeped and the foundation should be caulked to ensure there are no openings for rodents. Branches, shrubbery and overgrown vegetation should be cut back to keep rodents from climbing to the roof of a structure and entering through vents or windows. If a gap is found, fill it with steel wool or caulk and seal it. This will deter rodents from entering and will help to reduce their populations outside the building. Poison baits in tamper-resistant bait stations are another effective way to prevent rodents from infesting homes and businesses.