RODENTS
Rodents make up almost 40% of all mammal species and are represented by approximately 1 700 different species. It is the pairs of upper and lower incisors that characterize all rodents which allow them to gnaw – especially useful to those species that specialize in eating seeds. Some rodent species such as brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) have colonized the globe through accidental introductions by man. These rats are renowned for their adaptability and behavioral flexibility between individuals, their generalist diet and high reproductive rates coupled with their cunning and sophisticated behavior has ensured their success despite rigorous eradication and quarantine attempts.
How serious is a rodent problem?
It is important to control rodents for several reasons. Rodents carry fleas which are vectors for bubonic plague and typhus, so by controlling them we can in turn better control these diseases. Rodents’ ability to gnaw on and damage hard timbers, furniture, electrical wiring and just about anything allows them to unknowingly cause fires and inflict major economic damage. Some rodent species have the capacity to reproduce at such a high rate under ideal conditions that they reach plague proportions, which in turn incur massive economic damage to resources.
What are the signs of a rodent problem?
Rodent activity is commonly noted through the presence of their faeces. Sometimes their footprints can be seen on dusty surfaces. In larger populations the smell of their urine is distinct and quite easily detected. There are often brown smear marks along routes that are frequented by rodents.
Their ability to gnaw and chew their way through wooden and plastic obstacles is also a tell-tale sign of their presence.
What we will do
We utilize rodent baits in order to control them, sometimes liquid but mostly wax baits are used. Sometimes rodents will not touch baits when there is a preferred food source available; in such cases we may resort to trapping them with conventional rodent traps, sticky traps or Elliott style traps.
In circumstances where there are dogs present, we use bait stations to exclude them from eating the rodenticide directly, which can cause problems. For more information regarding the safety and toxicology of our rodent treatments, please refer to the FAQ section.