Rodent Report

Roof rat, Norway rat, house mouse — know 'em all Snap traps, bait stations, seal every hole in the wall Inspect, exclude, eliminate, sanitize — that's the plan Droppings, rub marks, urine stains — ID it if you can Let's start with the roof rat — tail longer than the body — that's the sign Most likely to infest homes and businesses — it's the primary line Stains on the side of a pipe — that's the roof rat's mark Spindle-shaped droppings half an inch — found it in the dark Norway rat drops capsule-shaped fecal matter — three-quarters to one inch long Largest fecal size of all the rodents — Norway rat is strong Norway's in the sub-area of a structure — low and underground Average litter of eight — that's how many young are found House mouse lives about two years in normal conditions — lock that in Gets through an opening quarter inch — that tiny gap lets 'em in Can jump twelve inches vertically — don't underestimate their move Produces 42 to 60 young per year — that's their deadly groove Rats need half an inch to squeeze inside — seal it shut Neophobia — rats are less curious than mice — they avoid new stuff First signs of rat infestation? Sight of rat, droppings, dark rub marks Along baseboards and walls from their fur — check those areas after dark Snap traps checked daily — that's the rule for rodent snap Sticky traps checked weekly — don't let that schedule lapse Set traps six to ten feet apart for a house mouse infestation Maximum ten feet for a severe one — that's the configuration Best way for rats inside a single family home? Snap traps — that's the call Don't use bait boxes if you don't want 'em dying inside the wall Glue boards work as trap AND monitoring tool for insect IPM too Check bait stations at least weekly, relocate after three weeks if there's no breakthrough Trapping is primary when you don't want rodents dying in a hidden space Rodenticide is the primary control method in a structure — know your place After program's established — eliminate harborages to maintain the gain Bait placement at ground level in a tamper-resistant, anchored, locked bait station — that's the game If rats aren't eating bait — switch to effective trapping — that's your move Mouse traps no more than ten feet, no less than six — stay in the groove When you see a rodent during the day — that means severe infestation is present Act fast, scale up the program — daytime sightings aren't pleasant Warfarin is the anticoagulant rodenticide — write it down Bromadiolone is also an anticoagulant — keep that fact around Vitamin K1 is the antidote for warfarin and diphacin — that's the cure Anticoagulants slow the clotting — rodent bleeds — control's secure Roof rat lives 12 to 24 months — and has 3 to 4 litters in a life Norway rat average litter size is eight — population cuts like a knife Diseases from rats? Plague, rat bite fever, salmonella — three to know Hantavirus comes from deer mice only — inhaled — pulmonary — that's the blow To rodent-proof for rats, seal any opening half an inch or more Quarter inch stops mice — seal it tight around every door Inspect the attic and adjacent areas first when rats are reported up there Inspect, exclude, eliminate, sanitize — four steps — handle with care Roof rat is the major structural pest in California — most likely to invade Exclusion means trimming foliage and sealing holes — that's the non-chemical trade Eliminate harborages after treatment — that's how you keep control Know your species, know your signs, know your traps — that's the rodent soul Norway rat has the largest fecal size — capsule-shaped, three-quarters to one inch Roof rat drops spindle-shaped, half inch droppings — don't you flinch House mouse dropping is the smallest of the three — tiny and dark Use urine stains to ID a rat infestation — glow under UV in the dark The roof rat — tail longer than the body — climbs high and nests above The Norway rat — in the sub-area — burrows low is what they love House mouse max travel distance is 23 to 45 feet from its nest Which rodent most infests homes? Roof rat — put that on the test Bait around entrances at a USDA food facility — traps only there No bait boxes when rodents might die in walls — trapping's more fair Glue boards placed up against vertical surfaces — walls — that's the spot Weekly check for sticky, daily for snap — never let your system rot Inspect first, exclude second, eliminate third, then sanitize the space The recommended steps to rodent control — four steps — run that race Roof rat in California — Norway rat in the sub — deer mouse brings Hantavirus fear Know your droppings, seal your gaps, set your traps — rodent mastery is here Roof rat, Norway rat, house mouse — know 'em all Snap traps, bait stations, seal every hole in the wall Inspect, exclude, eliminate, sanitize — that's the plan Droppings, rub marks, urine stains — now you understand Rodent facts locked — go pass that test!