RODENT PREVENTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL

Rodents are active year-round. However, a change in the weather, large construction projects, and even feeding pets & wildlife can increase their visibility and activity. If the three things they need to survive are eliminated: food, water & a place to build a nest, they will not stick around. Here are some tips for managing these pests.

PREVENTION 

• Keep foods and grains (including pet food and birdseed) 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. Feed your pet only what they will eat within 30 minutes.
• Store such items as firewood and lumber off the ground.
• Seal all openings to your house to prevent them from getting inside.
• Seal small openings such as around plumbing and wiring with steel wool or appropriate caulk.
• Keep vegetation around your property trimmed and cut away from the exterior of your house.

TREATMENT

Mechanical Devices

Various styles of snap traps exist and are available from local and online retailers. Snap Traps are most effective when placed on the floor perpendicular to the adjacent wall, as seen below. Baiting of traps is done with many household food products, including peanut butter, granola bars, and fruits. Some experimentation may be necessary. Commercially available bait and attractants and are also effective at attracting the rodents to the trap.

Electronic traps that induce an electric charge to the rodent are also a practical option. These traps also use an attractant similar to snap traps but provide a ‘zap’ of electricity to the rodent. They should be placed on the floor next to a wall, with the opening running parallel to the wall. These traps are typically battery powered and indicate when the trap has been triggered with a flashing light or other means. Electronic traps are available through local and online retailers.

Glue traps are also useful but not typically recommended as they can scare the rodent, causing them to urinate. Because the urine may contain germs, this may increase risk. Glue traps are cardboard sheets with a very thick sticky glue on the surface. When the rodent steps into the trap, it cannot extricate itself from the adhesive. Glue traps do not instantly kill the rodent. While the rodent is immobilized, it may take several days for the rodent to die.

Poisons

Many brands of poison (rodenticides) are available at home improvement, hardware, and feed stores, there are also some DYI pest control stores in the area and online. When using a poison, it is recommended that a rodent bait station (a small box designed for use with rodent bait) be used.

Place the bait station 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.

*IMPORTANT*   There’s always the danger that animals other than rodents will eat the bait and be poisoned. Using rodent poisons that use “second generation” anticoagulants carry a higher risk of poisoning an animal that might eat 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.
• 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 poison 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.

For more information and tips, please see the following link:
https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/index.html