The Basics of Rodent Control

Rodents (rats and mice) are very opportunistic pests that are extremely damaging to buildings. They can also carry diseases that can cause harm to people, pets and animals. They can contaminate food, damage building insulation and electric wiring, cause short-circuits, and break out fires.

Rodents are omnivorous, eating cereal grains and animal feed, as well as plants and seeds. They can survive several days without water, but can become ill if they are dehydrated or starved.

Their incisor teeth never stop growing, which makes them very effective gnawers. They can chew on and destroy wires, electrical cables and even the insulating material of barns and livestock sheds.

The first step in rodent control is to eliminate any potential access points. This requires regular maintenance of the buildings including sanitizing all entrances and exits, removing old feed bags, garbage, loose wood and other material that can be used as a hiding place.

Preventing rodent entry into the building
A thorough inspection of all farm buildings for possible entry points should be performed at least once a year. Cracks around door frames, under doors, broken windows, water and utility hook-ups, vents and holes surrounding feed augers are all potential entry points for rodents.

Rodent-proofing the building
Ensure that all holes and openings are sealed and rodent-proofed by constructing double wall or roof constructions. Make sure that all vents and openings are covered with coarse steel wool, hardware cloth or sheet metal.

Rat and mouse trapping
Traps are an excellent method to get rid of rats if there is a small to moderate population. Set traps in areas where you see droppings, gnaw marks or other signs of rodent activity. Locate traps close to walls, behind objects and in dark corners. Live traps are especially useful near runways and where rodents travel.

Baiting – Use baits to control rats and mice when a population-reduction programme is not enough. Use formulated products or a variety of attractants to lure rodents into traps. If rodents become bait shy, switch to a different formulated product or use another attractive attractant.

Rats are extremely apprehensive of anything new in their environment, so leave traps with baited or non-baited baits out for four to five days to ensure acceptance. Once a trap is set, it is essential to remove all uneaten baits from the area and properly dispose of them. You can get more enlightened on this topic by reading here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pest_control