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Rodent Control Program

The mixing of rodenticides and providing technical assistance to communities with rodent infestations are the main activities of our winter program. This program is self-sustaining in that communities pay for the technical materials used in mixing rodenticides. Most community rodent programs are requested by local health departments who monitor the distribution of rodenticides in their area. Farm rodent control has become more important as large amounts of grain and livestock feed are lost to rodents each year.

This division annually mixes around 150,000 pounds of rat bait. This reaches 100+ counties in the state. This program is in great demand by rural and urban areas with rodent problems.

How do rats and mice
get into my home?

• Through open or unscreened doors, windows, ventilators.
• Under shallow foundations of the house.
• Through breaks and cracks in the foundation.
• Through holes around electrical inlets or pipes that enter the foundation.
• Through holes in the floor around piping, (water, electrical, etc.)

Some signs to detect for rats are:

• Look for signs of gnawing around doors, windows, utility lines, and packaged good especially around food areas.
• Look for holes and fresh diggings around foundations, under floors, sidewalks, and anywhere they may look out of place.
• Droppings are a sure sign that there is a problem. Look behind objects near walls and in places seldom cleaned or disturbed.

Ways to keep rats and mice out of your home!
All rodent control programs should include the following four steps:

1. Starve them out. Keep garbage and refuse in tightly covered metal containers. Store food in rat proof buildings, rooms, or containers. Keep entire premises clean.
2. Remove their shelter. Store materials in the basement on stands about 10 to 12 inches above the floor. Do not allow litter to accumulate on the floor behind sick, stove or cabinets. Set them flush against the wall of far enough away so that the space can be easily cleaned.
3. Rat proof. Build them out. Keep necessary openings, such as windows, doors, closed and enclosed with ¼" mesh wire. Fit pieces of sheet metal around pipes to make a collar through which rodents cannot gnaw. Keep floor drains tightly fastened to stop entry from sewers.
4. Kill Rats You can either use traps or baits for this job. Be sure to check the baits and traps every day. When using baits, be sure to keep plenty of bait available for at least 10 days, longer if mice are still feeding there.

Pest & Weed Programs

Mosquito Control

Black Flies

Noxious Weed Control

Bird Control

Rodent Control

HOT TOPICS:

American Mosquito Control Association

Centers for Disease Control