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RODENT CONTROL
To learn more about rodents and how to eliminate them let us see some different kinds and certain facts about them. Click on the image to see a larger picture of each rodent. Click on the name to learn more about the rodent and how to control it with DellPest do it yourself pest control techniques.
Rodents can be classified as
commensal and others in Urban wildlife. Commensal means "sharing one's
table" which includes the House Mouse, Norway rat, and the Roof rat. These
three species are by far the most common rodent pest problems to you the
homeowner. Rodent means "to gnaw" in which is what they do all their
lives. To control rats and mice are very important to us because all the harm
they can cause us. It is estimated that they destroy and eat enough food each
year to feed 200 million people.(Truman's,307).
They damage floors, walls, doors, and also gnaw electric wires, pipes, and
computer systems causing problems. Rodents have been known to spread diseases.
Rodents are responsible for the plague which was known in history as the
"Black Death" which killed thousands. Other diseases they transmit
would be Rickettsial, acute food poisoning, rat-bite fever, and Weils disease.
Just so you will know Rabies is very rarely transmitted by rodents as many are
afraid of and believe to be.
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HOUSE MOUSE is by far the
most common rodent pest and actually the most widespread mammal on earth. They
are identified by a small slender body weighing up to one ounce. They can be
identified from baby rats by the smaller size of the head and the hind feet.
Mice can produce a fast reproduction rate. If conditions are right they can
produce up to seven pups per litter and could produce 12 litters per year and
each pup being able to reproduce at six weeks old. Mice will set up territories
around it's nest depending on how close food sources are. Usually it will never
be more than 30 feet away.
For mice control we recommend trapping, exclusion, and sonic repellars. When
trapping mice remember traps should be placed close together due to smaller
territories. Click here for more information on mouse control.
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The NORWAY RAT is most
commonly known as the house rat. This species is stronger, larger, very
aggressive, and known to adapt in colder climates. They have a stocky build and
weigh up to 16 ounces. Color can vary along with small ears and a shorter tail.
They can produce around 20 pups a year in good conditions. Like the mouse they
are somewhat social animals establishing territories and colonies. Unlike the
mouse they tend more to nest outdoors in underground burrows but will forge
inside too. Since these rats tend to be neophobic (fear of the new) it is not
advised to bait and even trapping may require patients and alternative methods.
Click here for additional information on rodent control.
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The ROOF RAT is identified
by it's longer tail than his body. They are smaller, sleeker and usually weighs
no more than nine ounces. Most are grayish black to solid black in color with a
white to gray belly. This species are most found in costal areas and frequently
board ships in ports. They tend not to eat meat as they prefer vegetables and
such. Roof rats get their name mainly because of their climbing habits of
structures and trees. A lot of the behavior is similar to the Norway rat as far
as the control of them. Click here for more information on rat
control.
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The MEADOW MOUSE , also known as a vole, even though a rodent is not considered a commensal rodent. They are not known to establish themselves indoors as the rats and mice do. Voles are small and chunky and the adults are usually about seven inches long. The tail is short and most are chestnut brown mixed with black on the back. They should not be confused with the Moles or shrews which have smaller feet than the meadow mouse. They are destructive to plants and certain times of the year will gnaw the bark of trees and can cause them to die. One female could possible produce 10 litters per year each averaging 5 per litter. So you see control can be very important at times.
If there are just a few voles then snap traps may be all you need to control them. They should be set at 10 foot intervals along the plant rows. I suggest baiting the traps with a pinch of oatmeal. If the problem is they are seen indoors then conventional rodent control should be in order. Click here to learn more about controlling meadow mice.
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The first step in a good rodent mouse control
management program would be a good inspection. There are ten signs to look for
in a rodent control inspection:
1)droppings
2)tracks
3)gnawing damage
4)burrows
5)runways
6)grease marks
7)urine stains
8)live or dead rodents
9)rodent sounds
10)rodent odors
Next the back bone of your success in controlling rats and mice would be
sanitation. The removal of their food source and shelter would be the biggest
impact on control. The next step would be
exclusion. Find out how they are getting into your home and board or patch the
hole. Sometimes you can use steel wool to patch plumbing access and other small
cracks that could cause entrance. After the above has been done then
trapping is what DellPest recommends to control further if need be. For mice use
the Small
glue boards and for rats and severe mice problems use the large
glueboards. Traps should be aligned along the wall in intervals
around the territory site. I would recommend using glue boards in the attic,
crawl, and behind appliances. My tip is you should place a small amount of
peanut butter in the center of the board. In severe cases you should check the
traps once a day. Once the rodent is trapped dispose in a plastic bag and put in
the trash. Keep in mind sometimes rats could get away from glue boards depending
on several factors. If this happens we offer the Electric
rat zappers if you desire an effective sure kill. If you desire more
humane techniques we recommend to you the multiple
mouse traps in which keeps them alive and you can dispose of them
however you like. This is recommended only for mice. Also read about our new PestContro
II sonic repeller by Lentek for the cleanest safest way to keep both
mice and rats away. It is not recommended you use poisons because of the rodent
dying in a hard to get to location and because of children and pet hazards.
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Source: Truman's Scientific guide to Pest control operation
