Thorough approach to rodent control

Dr. Chris Keefer

Effective rodent control requires a thorough approach. Follow these steps to help ensure success:

• Conduct thorough inspections. Make diagrams, take pictures, document conducive conditions and use technology such as a thermal imaging camera.
• Based on your inspection results, place control devices (snap traps, bait stations, multi-catch traps, glue boards, etc.) where rodents tend to move and harbor.
• Consider placing control devices in corners that have shadows, areas that offer protection, rooms that are less frequented by humans, and around clutter.
• Be able to identify the feces of common rodents in your region to aid in identification (such as house mice, roof rats and Norway rats).
• Determine the type of food rodents are feeding on within the account and use that as a lure; if unsuccessful, try the opposite instead — a sugar vs.
  a protein, for example.
• Ensure you have an uninterrupted supply of bait, as it can sometimes take weeks for rodents to start feeding on bait again if their supply is interrupted.
• Communicate with your clients. Be up front and direct, explain processes in detail, and use pictures along with written and verbal communication.