Prevent Rodent Infestation

Rodents

Worldwide, rats and mice spread over 35 diseases. These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent.

This blog id helpful suggestions on rodent control during and after a rodent infestation. The primary strategy for preventing human exposure to rodent diseases is effective rodent control in and around the home. This is achieved by eliminating any food sources, sealing even the smallest entries into homes, and successfully trapping rodents in and around the home.

Seal Up!

Seal up holes inside and outside the home to prevent entry by rodents

Sealing holes on the exterior of a house.

Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a nickel, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of a half dollar! Prevent rodents from entering the home by checking inside and outside the house for gaps or holes.

Where to look for gaps or holes inside your home

Inside, under, and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves.

Inside closets near the floor corners.

Around the fireplace.

Around doors.

Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines.

Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces.

Around floor vents and dryer vents.

Inside the attic.

In the basement or crawl space.

In the basement and laundry room floor drains.

Between the floor and wall juncture.

Where to look for gaps or holes outside your home

In the roof among the rafters, gables, and eaves.

Around windows.

Around doors.

Around the foundation

Attic vents and crawl space vents.

Under doors.

Around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines.

Fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place. Use lath screen or lath metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix large holes. These materials can be found at your local hardware store. Fix gaps in trailer skirtings and use flashing around the base of the house. If you do not remember to seal up entry holes in your home, rodents will continue to get inside. Outbuildings and garages should also be sealed to prevent the entrance of rodents.

TRAP UP!

Trap rodents around the home to help reduce the rodent population

Baiting a snap trap with peanut butter.

Choose an appropriate snap trap. Traps for catching mice are different from those for catching rats. Carefully read the instructions before setting the trap.

When setting the trap, place a small amount of peanut butter (approximately the size of a pea) on the bait pan of the snap trap. Position the bait end of the trap next to the wall so it forms a “T” with the wall. Rodents prefer to run next to walls or other objects for safety and do not like being out in the open.

In attics, basements, and crawlspaces and other areas that do not have regular human traffic, set traps in any area where there is evidence of frequent rodent activity. Some rodents, particularly rats, are very cautious and several days may pass before they approach the traps. Other rodents, such as house mice and deer mice, are less cautious and may be trapped more quickly.

Positioning a snap trap so it forms a "T" with the wall.

We do not recommend using glue traps or live traps. These traps can scare mice that are caught live and cause them to urinate. Since their urine may contain germs, this may increase your risk of being exposed to diseases.

Also place traps in outbuildings and in areas that might likely serve as rodent shelters. Natural rodent predators, such as non-poisonous snakes, owls, and hawks, may also help control and reduce the number of rodents outside the home.

If you trap inside your home, but do not seal up rodent entry holes, new rodents will enter the dwelling.

clean up!

Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites

Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids.

Prevent contact with rodents by cleaning up your home, workplace, or campsite.

Eliminate possible rodent food sources

Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids.

Clean up spilled food right away and wash dishes and cooking utensils soon after use.

Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean.

Always put pet food away after use and do not leave pet-food or water bowls out overnight.

Keep bird feeders away from the house and utilize squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder by squirrels and other rodents.

Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight lid.

Keep compost bins as far away from the house as possible (100 feet or more is best).

Keep grains and animal feed in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids. In the evening, uneaten animal feed should be returned to containers with lids.

If storing trash and food waste inside the home, do so in rodent-proof containers, and frequently clean the containers with soap and water. Dispose of trash and garbage on a frequent and regular basis, and pick up or eliminate clutter.

Eliminate possible nesting sites outside the home. Elevate hay, woodpiles, and garbage cans at least 1 foot off the ground. Move woodpiles far away from the house (100 feet or more is best). Get rid of old trucks, cars, and old tires that mice and rats could use as homes. Keep grass cut short and shrubbery within 100 feet of the home well trimmed.

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Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) , Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP)

review by juan trujillo Lic operator on 2/23/21