Rodent control can be particularly challenging because mice and rats often change their behavior depending on the situation they encounter. As a Pest Management Professional (PMP), it is important to implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for rodent control that utilizes thorough inspections, sanitation, exclusion, trapping and use of rodent baits.
- Inspection: When inspecting for rodents, it is important to look at what is overhead and underneath your feet in addition to what is in front of you. You may need to use a ladder, and you will likely need to be on your hands and knees with a flashlight looking for signs of rodent activity. Primary signs of rodent activity include damage caused by gnawing and clawing, droppings, urine stains, rub marks and rodent hairs. Make sure to inspect guidelines such as pipes, wire chases and along walls and edges.
- Elimination of food sources: Proper sanitation is necessary in any rodent control program. Store food in metal or plastic containers that can be sealed tightly and store pet food overnight. Regularly dispose of trash and clean indoor trash receptacles. Removal of food sources will make rodents more likely to be attracted to a baited trap or a rodenticide bait.
- Exclusion tactics: Rodent proofing can provide permanent reductions in rodent harborage. Seal cracks and openings around pipes and wire chases. Install door sweeps and rodent plates on outside entrances and in critical areas, and repair cracked foundations, brick work or siding. Reduction of clutter also reduces suitable areas for rodents to shelter and nest.
- Trapping: Always trap in bait stations on the exterior of a structure. On the interior of a structure, be sure to trap in shadowy, quiet and undisturbed areas where rodents are most likely to be active and use more traps than you think you will need. It may be necessary to set several traps together. For mice, consider baiting with nesting materials such as string, cotton balls and cloth. Pre-baiting on unset traps is important if you actually have an infestation.
- Rodenticide baits: When using rodenticide baits, consider the use of Talon® Ultrablok rodenticide, the latest rodenticide from Syngenta Professional Pest Management, which features an optimal blend of palatability and effectiveness that stands up to the challenges of a large rodent infestation. To learn more, visit www.SyngentaPMP.com/TalonUltrablok.
Rodent control is not simply refilling bait stations or setting out traps – an effective control program must look at the environment, including outside sources of rodents. Rodents have survived for millennia because they are smart and react to changes in their surrounding environment. By using an IPM approach that pays attention to all aspects of a rodent’s survival, it is possible to exceed your customers’ expectations and give them a rodent-free environment.
For more information, please contact your local Syngenta sales representative.
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