 | Rodents |
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Many people in our great country have used Do Your Own Pest Control methods before, as in mouse traps and Black Flag or Raid sprays. When dealing with rodents, we need to be very diligent with our control. These small animals carry many diseases and destroy much more than they ever eat. If you do your own rodent control and have any questions, please feel free to contact us or your local county extension agent and get all the advice you can.
- House Mouse
- Norway Rats
- Roof Rats
Why Rodent Control:
- World Health Organization estimates that about 33 million tons of food is destroyed world-wide each year
- Rodents can destroy personal property by their constant chewing
- Rodents do put livestock at risk of death and disease, by contaminating feed with urine and droppings
- Rodents or their parasites carry many diseases including rat bite fever, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and plague to name a few
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 5 to 10 cases of plague every year
You need to control your Rodents;
Rodents are carriers of many diseases whether they are alive or dead. They will tear up and destroy much more food than they eat, at the same time leaving droppings and urine any and everywhere they forage. The use of a black light will help you find the areas of infestation, if you don’t have one try lightly sprinkling cooking flour in the areas of suspected activity and when you go back you should see where the rodents have traveled, they will leave footprints and other signs for you.
If you suspect a rodent problem in your home or business, you should take steps to keep them under control. Many rodents can start fires by chewing the electrical wiring in homes and other buildings, and they love to live in your insulation. When you look at the insulation in your attic you will see small to mid-sized holes tunneling down into the insulation; these are runways for the rodents. Small holes the size of a quarter and slightly larger usually tells you the mice are having a good ole time. Larger holes let you know rats or squirrels are hanging around.
- The House Mouse is a small rodent that can readily invade structures. The body is small and pear-shaped and slender. It has relatively large ears for its size and small black eyes somewhat protruding. Mice are color blind and can only recognize objects up to 10 feet away. Weighing around 5/8 to 1 ounce. Most are grayish brown in color with the belly fur being a light cream color, and if you include the long tail the adults will be 5 ½ to 7 ½ inches long.
- The Norway Rat’s body is heavy and thick, weighing from 12 to 17 ounces, fairly small ears close to the body, and if they are bent forward will not cover the eyes. The tail is shorter than the head and the body is usually about 6 to 8 inches in length. When you include the tail, the Norway Rat can be 13 to 19 inches long. Norway Rats are usually grayish-brown, but color may vary from a pure gray to a blackish or reddish brown. The belly fur is yellow-white to gray. Norway Rats are often completely black.
- The Roof Rat’s body is slim weighing from 6 to12 ounces, has large ears for its size and will cover the eyes if bent forward; tail is longer than its head and body usually about 8 to 10 inches. When you include the tail the Roof Rat can be 14 to18 inches long. Roof Rats are usually grayish –brown to black with the belly fur varying from gray to white.
As the Do It Yourself Pest Control Person, you should make yourself aware of any and all hazards when baiting for rodents.
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The House Mouse is a small rodent that can readily invade structures. The body is small and pear-shaped and slender. It has relatively large ears for its size and small black eyes, somewhat protruding. Mice are colorblind and can only recognize objects up to 10 feet away. The House mouse weighs around 5/8 to 1 ounce. Most are grayish brown in color with the belly fur being a light cream color, and including the long tail the adults will be 5 ½ to 7 ½ inches long. Whiskers on the face and guard hairs on the back help an animal with poor eyesight stay safely against walls, under objects, and in burrows. Whiskers are also used to detect motion and test surfaces (glue boards), before stepping on them.
Mice become sexually mature and able to mate in as little as 5 weeks. Generally, sexual maturity is reached in 5 to 8 weeks. Female mice reproduce up to 8 times in their lifespan, with litters averaging 4 to 7 young. Therefore, a single female may produce up to 56 offspring annually. After giving birth, the female can be in heat and become pregnant again in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The female can be pregnant and still lactate to feed their current litter of young. However the gestational period may be slightly longer in this case.
The House Mouse is omnivores but will eat almost anything, seeds (preferred food), cereal grains, fruits, vegetables and meats, Mice frequent many feeding sights often 20 to 30 times during their active period, eating small amounts of food from each site. Daily consumption is about 1/10 ounce. Water is not essential to survival if food contains at least 16 percent moisture.
Rodent Control
Keys to any Do It Yourself Pest Control Mouse program are identification, sanitation, harborage elimination, and mouse-proofing the building (which can be difficult, because of the size hole they can enter). Control is based on the behavioral habits of the mouse. Some of the more important things to remember are:
- Mice will defecate wherever they spend most of their time. You can use mouse droppings and urine (with a black light) as an indication of where to concentrate the control efforts. Nontoxic tracking powder (baking flour) can also be used to determine where they are most numerous.
- Place the bait, (we recommend and use Fastrac Blox in each bait station. For new infestations place at least 2 to 3 or more baited stations in the areas of infestation, also at or around likely entry points. Once a preferred meal (the bait) is found, they will feed on the bait until a lethal dose is consumed, then all feeding will stop.
- Mice are very curious and will investigate any new items placed into their home area. The Snap-E Mouse Traps, Protecta Mouse Stations, Protecta RTU and Protecta Keyless are the preferred control products and used personally by A & E Pest Control. We also use multiple catch traps in many commercial accounts, this is because baits can not be used in many food handling areas so the Ketch-All and Pro-Ketch work very well in those and other sensitive areas.
- Mice prefer seeds (preferred food), cereal grains, fruits, vegetables and meats. The Snap-E Mouse Trap has a built in cup in the center of the trigger paddle, this forces the rat to cross the trigger to get the bait. You can bait the center of glue boards as this will increase your chances of trapping the mice.
- Mice do not usually need a water source other than their food, unless their main food source has less than 16 percent moisture content.
- Mice will travel 15 to 30 feet daily for food (and or water), and newly introduced objects (mice are naturally curious and will investigate new items). This will help you get your mouse problem under control. Place Snap-E Mouse Traps (where it will snap toward the wall), Protecta Mouse stations, Protecta RTU, or the Protecta Keyless against vertical surfaces, such as walls, as mice will travel up next to them. Place Glue boards next to walls and in corners. The Ketch-All, and Pro-Ketch are great multiple catch mouse traps These work are great to use in heavy infestations and as maintenance in garages and commercial buildings.
Do It Yourself Pest Control procedures to get the most out of your rodent control can be difficult for homeowners. We have tried to provide the necessary control measures below. All of the rodent control products you will need for a successful rodent control program are provided throughout the rodent pages.
- When you have children or pets in the home we suggest the tamper resistant stations by Bell Labs. Protecta Mouse Stations (Snap-E Mouse Trap can be used inside the Protecta Mouse Stations), Protecta RTU, and the Protecta Keyless. Bait these stations with Contrac Blox, which kills in one feeding; rodent will stop feeding after getting a lethal dose and will die in 2 to 3 days,it is also less toxic to non-target animals in both primary and secondary poisoning situations than other single-feeding anticoagulants. We also like the Tip-Trap (live capture trap)as it is very safe and won't hurt any child or pet. The Snap-E Mouse Trap can be used in areas where children and pets can't get to it (this trap can hurt a small pet or child).
- If your mouse infestation is in the attic we suggest placing glue boards in areas where the mice are and place peanut butter on the to attract the mice. Stuf-fit is a copper mesh that is used to seal up holes and other entry points, and unlike steel wool, will not rust, and will last for years. Stuf-fit should be used the same time you start your rodent control program. If the hole is too large for Stuf-fit you will need to find another means to seal it up. Some holes may require concrete or other products.
- PROVOKE Mouse Attractant (New by Bell Labs) see description below.
- We recommend using the Snap-E Mouse Traps, Tip-Traps, Ketch-All, Pro-Ketch and or glue boards on the inside because you will know when and where the dead rodents are located. The Snap-E Mouse Traps are easier, more sanitary and safer to handle than traditional wooden traps. Your fingers never have to touch the dead mouse. The Snap-E Mouse Traps are easy to clean and can be reused for years. They are simple, safe, and sanitary. They will catch a mouse every time the trap is sprung. Mice can not steal the bait on these traps. The Tip-Trap is probably the safest and easiest to use and just plain fun to play with (my better half says I'm not quite right), and placed end to end along the wall will usually result in a double catch.
- The Protecta Mouse Station can be used on the inside, outside and anywhere else to hold the Snap-E Mouse Traps where children or pets are present or there is a concern. Odor from the dead mice is possible, especially during warmer months. The dead mice can leave an odor but it should disappear within 24 hours or less.
Developed by Bell scientists, proven in formulating rodenticides with the highest bait acceptance, PROVOKE is the first and only attractant formulated specifically for mice. It is a food-based matrix targeted specifically to the feeding preferences of mice.
This non-toxic and hypo-allergenic attractant works well in schools, food production plants and other accounts where attractants, such as peanut butter, are prohibited.
PROVOKE is easily dispensed onto any mouse trap via a no-drip squeeze bottle that fits conveniently in a technician's pocket. Plus, it is water soluble, so it won't stain clothing or carpets.
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When dealing with rodents, we need to be very diligent with our control. These small animals carry many diseases and destroy much more than they ever eat. If you do your own rodent control and have any questions, please feel free to contact us or your local county extension agent and get all the advice you can. The Norway Rat can be a challenge for the Do It Yourself Pest Control person, you need to know this small rodent's habits and preferences.
The Norway Rat's body is heavy and thick, weighing from 12 to 17 ounces, fairly small ears close to the body, and if they are bent forward will not cover the eyes. The tail is shorter than the head and the body is usually about 6 to 8 inches in length. When you include the tail, the Norway Rat can be 13 to 19 inches long. Norway Rats are usually grayish-brown, but color may vary from a pure gray to a blackish or reddish brown. The belly fur is yellow-white to gray. Norway Rats are often completely black.
Norway Rats can sexually mature and mat at 8 to 12 weeks of age, and have an average of 8 to 12 young per litter. After giving birth the female can be in heat and become pregnant again in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The female can be pregnant and still lactate to feed their current litter of young. However the gestational period may be slightly longer in this case. They will reproduce year-round in stable environments with adequate food, water and harborage. Less than favorable conditions limit reproduction to spring and autumn.
The Norway Rat is omnivores, meats, fish, flour, cereal grain, fruits, and vegetables. Rats will eat almost any human food. Rats visit fewer food sites than mice, but eat more at each site, consumes ¾ to 1 ounce of food each day. They require water daily to survive, drinks ½ to 1 ounce a day.
Pest rats and mice in cities and suburbs are a little different form their country cousins, except that, like people, they have adapted to the "asphalt jungle". Rats explore their territory of 100 to 300 feet daily and can swim up to 1 mile. Due to their excellent adaptability, Norway Rats are found throughout the USA, and most of the urban and agricultural areas in Canada.
Norway Rats burrow extensively in soil and are excellent swimmers, and good climbers. They usually nest in basements and lower portions of buildings. Nocturnal, with most of their activity and feeding takes place between a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise. Very strong social hierarchy- the biggest and strongest rat get the best food and harborage.
Rodent Control
Do It Yourself Pest Control keys, to any rat control program are identification, sanitation, harborage elimination, and rat-proofing the building. Control is based on the behavioral habits of the roof rat. Some of the more important things to remember are:
- Rats will defecate wherever they spend most of their time. You can use rat droppings and urine (with a black light) as an indication of where to concentrate the control efforts. Nontoxic tracking powder (baking flour) can also be used to determine where they are most numerous.
- Rats will travel 100-300 ft for food and or water along established runways as rats will travel, and explore their area daily. Look for rub/swing marks and clean runways. Place Big Snap-E Rat Traps (where it will snap toward the wall), Protecta Bait Stations, Protecta Sidekick (smaller version of the Protecta) or the Protecta Landscape Stations along runways, and against vertical surfaces, such as walls, as most rats will travel up next to them. Glue boards wired to traveled pipes, rafters, etc. can be effective.
- Place sufficient bait, (we recommend and use Fastrac Blox, in each bait station. For new infestations place at least 2 to 3 blocks in each station, when you achieve control you can use less. Once a preferred meal (bait) is found, they will feed on the bait until a lethal dose is consumed, then all feeding will stop.
- Rats are very cautious and will avoid new items in their area. Minimal disturbance is desirable when putting out any rodent control products. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps, Protecta Bait Stations, and Protecta Sidekick (Smaller version of the Protecta) are the preferred control products and used personally by A & E Pest Control. Setting out your snap traps with bait but not set, lets the rats get used to the placed traps and you learn what baits they prefer. This is called Pre Baiting.
- Norway Rats prefer meats, fish, flour, cereal grains, fruit, and vegetables. The Big Snap-E Rat Trap has a built in cup in the center of the trigger paddle, this forces the rat to cross the trigger to get the bait. You can bait the center of glue boards as this will increase your chances of trapping the rat.
- Rats must have a water source other than their food, if their food has low moisture content.
The right procedures to get the most out of your rodent control can be difficult for homeowners. We have tried to provide the necessary control measures below. All of the rodent control products you will need for a successful rodent control program are provided throughout the rodent pages. If You Do Your Own Pest Control please be very diligent with your control methods.
- When children or pets are in the neighborhood, or other types of activity are present; we suggest the tamper resistant stations by Bell Labs. Protecta Rat Stations, Protecta Sidekick (smaller version of the Protecta), Protecta Landscape Stations. Bait these stations with Fastrac Blox kills in one feeding; rodent will stop feeding after getting a lethal dose and will die in 1 to 2 days,it is also less toxic to non-target animals in both primary and secondary poisoning situations than other single-feeding anticoagulants.
- If there are no children, pets, or other activity going on outside, you can use Fastrac Blox by placing the bait blocks into the rat holes (burrows) or any noticeable paths in the yard. Normal foraging of rats will leave visible paths in the grass. Fastrac Blox kills in one feeding; rodent will stop feeding after getting a lethal dose and will die in 3 to 5 days,it is also less toxic to non-target animals in both primary and secondary poisoning situations than other single-feeding anticoagulants.
- The Protecta Rat Stations, Protecta Sidekick and the Protecta Landscape Stations where children or pets are present or there is a concern. If you have a rat problem inside your walls or inside your home or business, baiting might not be an option. Baiting inside for large animals, such as rats, will solve the rat infestation but might cause other problems. Odor from the dead rodents, maggots and flies are possible especially during warmer months. The dead rats can leave an odor but it should disappear within a few days. (on the outside for the landscape version)can be used on the inside and anywhere else to hold the Big Snap-E Rat Traps.
- Stuf-fit is a copper mesh that is used to seal up holes and other entry points, and unlike steel wool, will not rust, and will last for years. Stuf-fit should be used the same time you start your rodent control program. Rats are creatures of habit, so when you interrupt his normal daily routine this will start him to investigating new surroundings; your bait stations and traps. If the hole is too large for Stuf-fit you will need to find another means to seal it up. Some holes may require concrete or other products.
- We recommend using Big Snap-E Rat Traps and or glue boards on the inside because you will know when and where the dead rodents are located. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps are easier, more sanitary and safer to handle. The pre-formed holes in the rat trap base allow for surface mounting if needed. Your fingers never have to touch the dead rodent. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps are easy to clean and can be reused for years. They are simple, safe, and sanitary. They will catch a rat every time the trap is sprung. Rats can not steal the bait on these traps.
As the Do It Yourself Pest Control Person, you should make yourself aware of any and all hazards in baiting for rodents.
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When dealing with rodents, we need to be very diligent with our control. These small animals carry many diseases and destroy much more than they ever eat. If you do your own rodent control and have any questions, please feel free to contact us or your local county extension agent and get all the advice you can. Roof Rats can be a challenge for the Do It Yourself Pest Control person, you need to know this small rodent's habits and preferences.
The Roof Rat’s body is slim weighing from 6 to12 ounces, has large ears for its size and will cover the eyes if bent forward; tail is longer than its head and body usually about 8 to 10 inches. Including the tail, the Roof Rat can be 14 to18 inches long. Roof Rats are usually grayish–brown to black with the belly fur varying from gray to white.
Roof Rats can sexually mature and mate at 8 to 12 weeks of age, and have an average of 4 to 8 young per litter, averaging 4 to 6 litters per year. After giving birth, the female can be in heat and become pregnant again in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The female can be pregnant and still lactate to feed their current litter of young. However the gestational period may be slightly longer in this case. They will reproduce year-round in stable environments with adequate food, water and harborage. Less than favorable conditions limit reproduction to spring and autumn.
The Roof Rat is omnivores, seeds, fruits, vegetables, eggs and grain. Rats will eat almost any human food. Rats visit fewer food sites than mice, but eat more at each site, consumes 3/4 to 1 ounce of food each day. They require water daily to survive, drinks 1/2 to 1 ounce a day.
Pest rats and mice in cities and suburbs are a little different form their country cousins, except that, like people, they have adapted to the “asphalt jungle”. Rats explore their territory of 100 to 300 feet daily and can swim up to 1 mile. Roof Rats are best suited to warm climates but are often associated with marine ports. In the USA they are found along the Pacific Coast, the lower half of the Atlantic Coast, throughout the Gulf States, along major river systems (i.e. Mississippi River) and Hawaii. In Canada, they are found along the Pacific Coast, the southern Atlantic Coast, and occasionally in extreme southern Ontario.
Roof Rats are able to swing, jump and climb; roof rats usually enter and nest in upper portions of buildings. They may nest outside in trees (especially palm trees), ivy and similar vegetation, will burrow very little. Most activity and feeding takes place between a half hour after sunset and half hour before sunrise. Rats have a very strong social hierarchy.
Rodent Control
Do It Yourself Pest Control keys, to any rat control program are identification, sanitation, harborage elimination, and rat-proofing the building. Control is based on the behavioral habits of the roof rat. Some of the more important things to remember are:
- Rats will defecate wherever they spend most of their time. You can use rat droppings and urine (with a black light) as an indication of where to concentrate the control efforts. Nontoxic tracking powder (baking flour) can also be used to determine where they are most numerous.
- Rats will travel 100-300 ft for food and or water along established runways as rats will travel, and explore their area daily. Look for rub/swing marks and clean runways. Place Big Snap-E Rat Traps (where it will snap toward the wall), Protecta Bait Stations, Protecta Sidekick (smaller version of the Protecta) or the Protecta Landscape Stations along runways, and against vertical surfaces, such as walls, as most rats will travel up next to them. Glue boards wired to traveled pipes, rafters, etc. can be effective.
- Place sufficient bait, (we recommend and use Fastrac Blox, in each bait station. For new infestations place at least 2 to 3 blocks in each station, when you achieve control you can use less. Once a preferred meal (bait) is found, they will feed on the bait until a lethal dose is consumed, then all feeding will stop.
- Rats are very cautious and will avoid new items in their area. Minimal disturbance is desirable when putting out any rodent control products. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps, Protecta Bait Stations, and Protecta Sidekick (Smaller version of the Protecta) are the preferred control products and used personally by A & E Pest Control. Setting out your snap traps with bait but not set, lets the rats get used to the placed traps and you learn what baits they prefer. This is called Pre Baiting.
- Norway Rats prefer meats, fish, flour, cereal grains, fruit, and vegetables. The Big Snap-E Rat Trap has a built in cup in the center of the trigger paddle, this forces the rat to cross the trigger to get the bait. You can bait the center of glue boards as this will increase your chances of trapping the rat.
- Rats must have a water source other than their food, if their food has low moisture content.
The right procedures to get the most out of your rodent control can be difficult for homeowners. We have tried to provide the necessary control measures below. All of the rodent control products you will need for a successful rodent control program are provided throughout the rodent pages. If You Do Your Own Pest Control please be very diligent with your control methods.
- When children or pets are in the neighborhood, or other types of activity are present; we suggest the tamper resistant stations by Bell Labs. Protecta Rat Stations, Protecta Sidekick (smaller version of the Protecta), Protecta Landscape Stations. Bait these stations with Fastrac Blox kills in one feeding; rodent will stop feeding after getting a lethal dose and will die in 1 to 2 days,it is also less toxic to non-target animals in both primary and secondary poisoning situations than other single-feeding anticoagulants.
- If there are no children, pets, or other activity going on outside, you can use Fastrac Blox by placing the bait blocks into the rat holes (burrows) or any noticeable paths in the yard. Normal foraging of rats will leave visible paths in the grass. Fastrac Blox kills in one feeding; rodent will stop feeding after getting a lethal dose and will die in 3 to 5 days,it is also less toxic to non-target animals in both primary and secondary poisoning situations than other single-feeding anticoagulants.
- The Protecta Rat Stations, Protecta Sidekick and the Protecta Landscape Stations where children or pets are present or there is a concern. If you have a rat problem inside your walls or inside your home or business, baiting might not be an option. Baiting inside for large animals, such as rats, will solve the rat infestation but might cause other problems. Odor from the dead rodents, maggots and flies are possible especially during warmer months. The dead rats can leave an odor but it should disappear within a few days. (on the outside for the landscape version)can be used on the inside and anywhere else to hold the Big Snap-E Rat Traps.
- Stuf-fit is a copper mesh that is used to seal up holes and other entry points, and unlike steel wool, will not rust, and will last for years. Stuf-fit should be used the same time you start your rodent control program. Rats are creatures of habit, so when you interrupt his normal daily routine this will start him to investigating new surroundings; your bait stations and traps. If the hole is too large for Stuf-fit you will need to find another means to seal it up. Some holes may require concrete or other products.
- We recommend using Big Snap-E Rat Traps and or glue boards on the inside because you will know when and where the dead rodents are located. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps are easier, more sanitary and safer to handle. The pre-formed holes in the rat trap base allow for surface mounting if needed. Your fingers never have to touch the dead rodent. The Big Snap-E Rat Traps are easy to clean and can be reused for years. They are simple, safe, and sanitary. They will catch a rat every time the trap is sprung. Rats can not steal the bait on these traps.
As the Do It Yourself Pest Control Person, you should make yourself aware of any and all hazards in baiting for rodents.
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