Why rodents considered as pests?
Removing food sources, water, and items that provide shelter for rodents is the best way for rodent control at your property. Some types of rodents, especially non-native species including the Norway rat, the roof rat and house mice are pests when they infest houses, threaten public health, and destroy property. Basically, they can damage or destroy critical habitats, native plants and animals, crops, property, and food supplies.
Hence, rats and mice can transmit diseases to humans, and their excreta can contaminate food and utensils. They can also damage buildings by gnawing conduits and wiring. A regular rodent control plan should be implement to control their activity in the property.
How to identify rodent activity
Rats and mice can live and nest within buildings, provided they have access to food and water. They are most active at night.
You need to organize rodent control service as soon as possible if you find following signs/activity:
- Droppings: found near shelters or nests, feeding areas or travel paths.
- Travel paths: greasy markings found on surfaces in continual contact with dirty rodent fur.
- Burrows: found in creek banks, along walls, under buildings, in stacked materials and in roof insulation.
- Gnawing: rodents gnaw a wide variety of material including woodwork, electrical cables and food containers.
- Noise: scratching, fighting, squeaking, clawing and gnawing often heard during the night in walls, cupboards, ceilings and under floors.
What are Roof Rats?
Roof rats are also referred to as black rats or ship rats, gets its name from its tendency to find shelter in the upper parts of buildings. Once inside, roof rats not only damage materials by gnawing through them, but they also contaminate stored food and serve as vectors of dangerous diseases.
What kind of rats dig tunnels?
Norway rats are most likely the culprits behind the rat holes that you are seeing in your yard. The Norway rat is sometimes referred to as the street rat or the sewer rat. Basically, their activities mostly found in ground level.
Common Practices of Rodent Control
Bating
Tracking powders and gels
Fumigation
Proofing
Trapping