Pest Management Professional, September 2012
tips tricks Rodents Continued from page 78 Choose a rodenticide labeled for burrow application This year the U S Environmental Protection Agency EPA issued label language that specifically states certain formulations including traditional wax blocks soft bait and place packs may not be used in burrows Use a long handled spoon or other device to put loose pellets or meal bait at least 6 inches into the burrow Rats seem to perceive loose bait as seeds blown in naturally by the wind and are more likely to accept them J T Eaton Co By James Rodriguez Western Territory Manager Rats and mice are constantly foraging for food and looking for harborage areas traveling from shadowed area to shadowed area exploring the odors of the day with their keen sense of smell and using their vibrissae like antennas to monitor air movement for approaching predators Because rodents weakest attribute is eyesight they heavily rely on other abilities like speed agility and a powerful sense of smell which involves a movement called whiskering Whiskering can detect minute vibrations from running water and changes in air pressure for example Keeping this in mind when Do not cave in burrow openings Rats often relocate when stressed in this way At the very least they will kick out the bait as they work to reopen the entry and bolt holes Its best to leave the burrow undisturbed Return in three to seven days Retreat all burrows that are believed to remain active Repeat the process once or twice per week until all burrows are inactive Once burrow activity has ceased you can shovel them shut youre performing a rodent inspection will make you a better rodent management specialist A rodent can gnaw holes in the hardest material if it wants to gain access to a structure So what is exclusion really about The answer to that lies in controlling air movement A plastic door sweep is not enough to keep a rodent out but it does prevent air transfer and creates a mock wall to a passing rodent Using the most durable material in rodent exclusion is always preferable but weather stripping in particular prevents odors and temperatures from escaping a building The better the weather stripping around garage doors windows and doorways the less likely rodent problems will arise Here are more ways focusing on air movement helps uncover openings large enough for rats and mice In the summer focus on cool spots around structures pipes crawlspace vents air conditioning units anything that produces condensation running water and vents around the base of buildings and homes In the winter focus on hot and warm spots around structures near water heaters around appliances heat escaping from garages and door sweeps insulated areas warm equipment and vehicles The keys to sound rodent control usually are in the air Continued on page 84 82 September 2012 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net Photo courtesy of and copyrighted by Gene White pmimages@ earthlink net
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