Where Can We Find Resources for Rodent Prevention?

Rodents can cause fires by gnawing on wires and they transmit diseases that can be spread to people. Effective, low-hazard options are available to prevent rodents.

Regularly inspect inside and outside buildings for Rodent Prevention, gnaw marks, and nesting material. Store garbage in containers with tight lids and keep compost piles away from homes. Remove ivy and other vines that provide shelter for rodents and use metal mesh to seal holes in crawl spaces, attics and basements.

Pest Control

Rodents cause property damage, food and surface contamination and exacerbates allergies in humans. They can also transmit diseases to people by eating and gnawing their way into food, surfaces, pipes and walls. Their small size allows them to enter facilities through the smallest of openings; mice only need a quarter-inch opening and rats only half an inch. Rodents may also cause structural damage by gnawing through product, drywall, wood and electrical wiring.

Rodents are omnivores that eat seeds, fruits, grains and animal products. Their incisors are adapted for chewing and they can gnaw through most materials including wood, concrete, wire and steel. They are known to trigger a variety of illnesses in people, including flea-borne diseases such as cat scratch fever and flea-borne parasites like ticks and mites that spread Lyme disease, tularemia, Ehrlichia, and Salmonella.

The best preventative measure is to be vigilant and promptly respond to rodent signs such as droppings, rat hair, tracks or rubbing marks. Routinely inspect all areas where rodents are most likely to be present, including storage closets, vending machines, laundry rooms, garages and sheds. Store all foods in rodent-proof containers and keep garbage cans tightly closed. Clean up crumbs, spills and soiled dishes and utensils right away. Avoid letting water stand on sinks and toilets. Remove weeds and brush, especially dense ivy, that provide shelter and rodent nesting sites.

Preventing Rodents in the Home

Rodents are attracted to homes for food and shelter. They are omnivores that feed on seeds, fruits grain-based foods, meats, and a variety of other sources. In addition, they carry many diseases that can affect pets and people. Their gnawing and urine can damage buildings, wires, and insulation. They leave droppings and gnaw marks that indicate an ongoing problem.

Regular inspections of the inside and outside of the home are important for rodent prevention. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and grease marks, especially along travelways, corners, and entries. Also, check for leaking pipes and seal these to prevent water access.

Outdoors, remove piles of wood and other materials that are close to the house. Store garbage and compost in containers with tight lids. Keep the garden free from rotting food and plant members of the mint family to repel pests. Also, keep trees pruned and a minimum of 2 feet of clearance between the trunks and ground to deter climbing by rodents.

Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a quarter, so it’s important to check and repair any holes that are this size and larger. Also, caulk any cracks around doors and windows. Trim tree branches and shrubs that overhang or touch buildings. Eliminate dense brush and other cover in the yard and maintain grass heights to 12 inches or less.

Preventing Rodents in the Yard

Rodents are opportunistic, and they’re attracted to food, water and shelter. They can enter a home through cracks and gaps in walls, door frames, and around pipes, windows, and vents. Keeping these areas clean, free of debris and clutter, and blocking entry points with caulk or wire wool prevents rodents from making their way into a living space.

Dirty dishes, accessible garbage cans, pet foods and crumbs on countertops and in storage spaces serve as a free rodent buffet. Soak rags in nontoxic peppermint, spearmint or eucalyptus oil and rub them over surfaces to repel these pests.

Outdoors, rats, mice, voles, groundhogs and gophers damage lawns and gardens by digging tunnels beneath the grass and eating roots, plants and bark. Planting herbs with strong smells like mint (especially peppermint), catnip, rosemary, sage, lavender and oregano around your garden creates a barrier that helps keep these unwelcome visitors away.

Eliminate weeds and brush that provide cover for rodents, and remove piles of debris or woodpiles near the house. Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house, and trim bushes or shrubbery that overhang or touch structures like garages and porches. Store garbage cans in metal or heavy plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, and place trash out only shortly before pickup, not days in advance.

Preventing Rodents in Schools

A school building is a magnet for rodents, especially during cooler temperatures, when they head indoors to hunt and nest. Pestemite is known to spread a wide variety of diseases and can cause severe injuries by chewing through electrical wiring, HVAC systems, and other infrastructure components in schools. They also produce urine and dander that can trigger allergies in students, staff and visitors.

Classrooms, cafeterias, and supply closets are prime areas for rodent infestations. Students and teachers often drop food onto the ground or leave containers of food open, attracting pests and inviting them in.

Keeping food in closed containers and removing trash on a regular basis helps deter these unwanted guests. Thoroughly inspecting food storage areas for rips, holes, and leaks is also effective. Similarly, ensuring that outside containers are tightly sealed at night and when not in immediate use helps prevent rodents from accessing them.

In addition to these prevention measures, implementing an integrated pest management (IPM) program is important in schools. This approach to reducing rodent populations combines regular inspections, maintenance and sanitation practices with non-toxic bait stations and traps. It also takes into account legal regulations that may govern the placement and application of pesticides in school buildings. The key is to identify and address problem areas promptly, before they lead to a full-blown rodent infestation.