RODENT MANAGEMENT

Rat race and arms race in the rodent control space

A rat race, or the rats’ race, is an intense, competitive, and highly adaptive life strategy involving the pursuit of objectives through ceaselessly repetitive routines. An arms race is an intense competition between factions for control of the progress and increase of advantage. In the case of the pest management professional (PMP), a higher adaptive strategy controls the advantage. In the case of the rat, a higher adaptive strategy controls survival. Let’s examine this public health rat race in the rodent control space.

PMP Armament Tool: Exploit Behavior
If there is no misunderstanding, then there is no rat adaptive life strategy. Although it is not plausible to unequivocally understand rat behavior, in pursuit of this adaptive strategy, the PMP controls the advantage by training their client in the increasing understanding of rodent behavior. Along with the biology, there's a bit of ethology:

• Rats think or exhibit metacognition, which is awareness and understanding of their thought processes.

• Rats exhibit problem-solving capabilities.

• Rats exhibit empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of other rats.

• Naive rats learn about new environments by observing fearless rats.

PMP Armament Tool: Deny Entrance
If there are no damaged doors, then there are no rats entering the account. Although it is not plausible to remove all rat entrances, in pursuit of this adaptive strategy, the PMP controls the advantage by training their client in the “5 whys of causation.” A few inquisitive questions to lower their rat adaptive strategy and control survival (along with some common answers) include:

1. Why is the door a pest problem? It is lacking effective seal strips.

2. Why are new seal strips required? The door is warped.

3. Why is the door warped? Employees have been propping open the door.

4. Why are employees doing that? To go out and have a smoke.

5. Why do employees go out and smoke? Because they can.

6. Bonus Question: What’s the corrective action? Institute an open-close door sensor so employees will comply with keeping the door shut. Note that if the door is being opened for other reasons, such as the room is too hot, the client will need to address those issues directly.

PMP Armament Tool: Deny Refuge
If there is no place to hide, then there is no rat refuge. Although it is not plausible to remove all rat harborage sources, in pursuit of this adaptive strategy, the PMP controls the advantage by implementing rodent control devices with built-in sensing technology. With rats, it’s about overcoming bait box avoidance or infidelity and trap fatigue, while knowing location, location, location! Near or far, know where rats are to lower rat adaptive strategy and control survival. Some final tips: 



• Deploy quality bait stations and traps with reliable, built-in, smart rodent-sensing capabilities.

• Access smart rodent-sensing bait stations and traps via an easy-to-use smartphone app.

• Monitor rat travel times and locations.

• Assess best practices to assure optimum bait box and trap acceptance.

As a result, you'll help increase on-site productivity several-fold.

In years past, a PMP may have walked into a facility and been astounded by the immense space to be protected. The combination of rodent behavior, available food, potential entrances, and time required for rodent control service was quite daunting. Now, as in the future, PMPs continue to better understand the rats’ race, leading to better tools to stay ahead in the arms race, resulting in more successes in the rodent control space.