PREVENTION
- Keep foods and grains (including pet food and bird seed) in rodent proof containers.
- Store garbage in rodent proof containers and dispose of it promptly through bi-weekly collection services.
- Do not leave pet food out. Instead, feed your pet only what he will eat then remove it after 30 minutes.
- To prevent rodent harborage, store such items as firewood and lumber off the ground.
- To prevent rodents from getting inside your house, all openings to the house should be sealed or screened. Use steel wool or other suitable caulking materials to seal small openings such as around plumbing and wiring.
- Keep vegetation in the yard trimmed and cut away from the exterior of the house.
TREATMENT
Rodenticides and traps are two methods of rodent control. When using a rodenticide outdoors, it is recommended that a rodent bait box (a small box with a removable lid to allow for replenishing bait and a small hole to allow rodents access to bait while keeping larger animals out) be used. If one is not available you can build your own:
- Keep foods and grains (including pet food and bird seed) in rodent proof containers.
- Store garbage in rodent proof containers and dispose of it promptly through bi-weekly collection services.
- Do not leave pet food out. Instead, feed your pet only what he will eat then remove it after 30 minutes.
- To prevent rodent harborage, store such items as firewood and lumber off the ground.
- To prevent rodents from getting inside your house, all openings to the house should be sealed or screened. Use steel wool or other suitable caulking materials to seal small openings such as around plumbing and wiring.
- Keep vegetation in the yard trimmed and cut away from the exterior of the house. Rodenticides and traps are two methods of rodent control. When using a rodenticide outdoors, it is recommended that a rodent bait box (a small box with a removable lid to allow for replenishing bait and a small hole to allow rodents access to bait while keeping larger animals out) be used. If one is not available you can build your own:
Use 1 1/2" PVC pipe for mice (3" for rats) in an inverted "T" formation. A twelve inch (12") section of pipe with a six inch (6") upright section is ample for this purpose.
Place along a wall or fence border as rodents tend to travel in these areas. Continue to monitor and replenish bait until no signs of feeding have been observed for 5 days.
NOTE: There’s always the danger that animals other than rodents will eat the bait and be poisoned. Single feeding rodent poisons that use “second generation” anticoagulants carry a higher risk of poisoning an animal that might eat on the carcass of the rodent. It is important to follow the label exactly, know rodent’s behavior, and put baits where rodents can get it and still stay out of the reach of children, pets & wildlife.
DISPOSAL
- Avoid direct contact with rodent carcasses or droppings. Wear rubber or plastic gloves when emptying traps.
- Spray carcasses with a 1:10 solution of bleach and water or any household disinfectant spray.
- Place the carcass and gloves in a bag and seal (such as with a twist-tie or "zip lock").
- Place the sealed bag inside a second bag, seal and discard in the trash.
- If traps will be re-used clean and disinfect before storing.
- Wash hands thoroughly with warm soapy water after handling any rodenticide or rodent carcass.
Simultaneous treatment of the premises with insecticide is also recommended as this will kill any insect parasites which may have been carried on the rodents.
Avoid direct contact with rodent carcasses or droppings. Wear rubber or plastic gloves when emptying traps.
Many brands of rodenticides are available through local feed/hardware stores, but there are only five compounds used. These are:
|
Compound
|
Description
|
Product
|
| Warfarin |
An ingredient used for many years, is an anticoagulant. When a rodent eats the bait over a period of days, its blood loses the ability to clot and the rat dies of internal bleeding. It is effective and relatively safe around kids, dogs, cats, and other non-target animals that might accidentally eat the bait. However, the major problem with warfarin is resistance buildup. Over time, some rodents may become resistant to the ingredient.
|
Rat Control Pellets
|
| Diphacinone |
An ingredient similar to warfarin.
|
RAMIK
|
| Bromadilone and Brodifacoum |
Second generation anticoagulants. They also cause internal hemorrhaging. These possess a stronger dose than warfarin.
|
Havoc (brodifacoum)
Rat-A-Rest (Bromadilone) |
| Cholecalciferol |
Vitamin D3, is a material that throws the rat’s blood calcium levels off. The rodent dies of a heart attack about 4 days later.
|
|
| Bromethalin |
Attacks the central nervous system. This leads to a decrease in nerve impulses, causing paralysis and in a short time death.
|
Assault
|