Rodents have always followed humans wherever they go. They view us as an easy source of food, water, and shelter. To us, they’re a nuisance; their presence can range from startling to dangerous. Whether you’re simply scared of mice or you’re worried about rats causing structural damage to your business, there are lots of good reasons to keep rodents out.
Professional pest control efforts are the best way to take care of your rodent problem for good. However, there are a few things you can do to keep rodents out of your business! Read on to learn five ways you can help stop an infestation before it starts.
1. Seal Up Gaps and Cracks
As with every pest problem, exclusion is one of the most powerful tools you can use against rodents. As the name implies, this process works by excluding rodents from the structure – in other words, preventing them from coming inside in the first place.
Rodents can fit through any gap big enough for their head. If a gap isn’t big enough for their head, they can gnaw through just about anything to make it work. So, you need to seal up all the gaps in your structure and do it well. For gaps in floor expansion joints, for instance, one option is to use a “sandwich” of stainless steel mesh between two layers of high-density foam. Expanding foam sealants alone won’t do the trick; rodent teeth can chew right through it.
Also, check the weather stripping around doors. This is an easy entry point for pests of all kinds, and rodents can easily chew through it. Door sweeps are also useful rodent deterrents.
2. Reduce Rodent Harborage
“Harborage” refers to places where pests can hide. Vegetation is a very common form of rodent harborage. Simply keeping shrubs and trees trimmed back could dramatically reduce rodent harborage in your landscape. Also, aim for a six-foot space between your landscaping and the structure. This removes cover that rodents could use to enter the structure.
Low-growing plants and bushes should also be avoided; they provide excellent cover for rodent burrows.
3. Check Incoming Shipments
If you’re in the shipping business, check any incoming shipments carefully for signs of rodents. Rats and mice are hardy and can survive for several days without food or water – even in a shipping pallet. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and spills. All of these are potential signs of rodent infestation that you shouldn’t bring inside your warehouse.
4. Use Inspection and Trapping Services
Pest inspections should be thorough and performed by a professional. There are many signs that the untrained eye might miss. Mice and rats can live in ceiling and wall voids, crawlspaces, and even sub-slabs. Even if you don’t think you have a rodent problem, one could be lurking out of sight. There’s no wrong time for a pest inspection!
Commercial properties should consider using monitoring traps as well. Place them in areas with high potential for rodent traffic, such as food service areas, parking garages, and trash collection areas. Anywhere food and garbage go, the rodents are likely to follow – and if you trap them first, they won’t make their way into the building.
5. Keep Garbage Collection Areas Tidy
Garbage is the easiest food source for rodents, so keeping them out of the trash is an easy way to help keep them away. Keep a tight lid on dumpsters and other outdoor trash receptacles – and don’t forget the recycling, either. While there shouldn’t be much edible material in your recyclables, paper and plastic make great nesting materials. Make sure there’s no garbage on the ground and secure the bins when not in use.
Count on Anderson Pest Solutions for Rodent Prevention Services
If you need rodent control services in Illinois and Indiana, the Anderson Pest Solutions team is the best choice you could make. From start to finish, we offer services that are as compassionate as they are thorough; all our services are backed by our satisfaction guarantee. Whether you’re overrun with rodents or you want to stop an infestation before it can start, our team is here to help.
Give us a call to get started with a free quote.
