All posts in “rodents”

Naked Mole Rats

Naked Mole Rats from the World Wildlife Zoo

 

Before we get started I just wanted to be sure somebody was out there or did it all end yesterday according to the Mayan’s?

 

   

Beauty is in the “Eye of the Beholder”, some people like cats with no fur or dogs with too much fur and some of us think Naked Mole Rats are cute. I mean common they live in the ground, they eats roots and tubers and they share everything as a family. They live in Africa and are often called “Sand Puppies” and have two special characteristics a lack of pain sensation in its skin and a very low metabolism.

Here is Arizona we have Pocket Gophers and Ground Squirrels and either one can get carried away with digging up yards.

Mouse tincat versus Forklift

Mouse tincat versus Forklift

 

    

New tincat                                                                 demolished tincat

The Tincat Mouse trap is a live-catch trap that is easy to use, catches up to 20 – 30 mice at a time, and requires no setting. Simply place the trap along a wall where mice like to travel and it is ready to go. Inquisitive mice will enter the trap, triggering a lever that will trap them in a holding area inside. But it has to be in one piece and closeable.

New style – great Rodent Station

New style – great Rodent Station

 

    

A new design (Protecta EVO® EXPRESS™) and WOW does it ever save time and effort. New key design, let me tell you the key is the important issue. The longer it takes to get into the station, compund that by the number of stations equals a lot of time. I don’t have to tell you time = money! The other thing about this station by Bell Labs is that tray, easy to clean and I’m telling you it is easy to clean, take it out,  dump it and off you go to the next station.

Debunking myths especially of the INTERNET…

Debunking myths especially of the INTERNET…

 

Most of us have seen the commercial on TV that indicates that everything you read on the Internet is absolutely, unequivocally without a doubt TRUE and CORRECT!!!! Well I hope most of us realize it is just plain and simply not true. ProBest Pest Management is a Gold Member of the EPA’s Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program or PESP.  We receive a newsletter quarterly and this newsletter this quarter is about a few of those items – puts to rest the myth about rodents and the New York subway system – too bad it doesn’t talk about that huge alligator that lives there.

It provides some great information on “Ten Steps to Pest-Proofing”

http://www.epa.gov/pesp/news/pesp/pespwire-2012-11.pdf

Multiple Catch Traps for Mice (not for squeamish)

Multiple Catch Traps for Mice (not for squeamish)

 

What are they and do they work, the answer would be a resounding YES!

Just like snap traps they work really well and it almost seems like the mice were there to help each other out. I remember the old days when they said once you caught a mouse on a snap trap there was a smell that attracted other mice and that proves out today as well. Whether its a phermone or just a smell of a mouse or rodent it does seems to attract some attention. I also think that it masks some of the human smell. So don’t clean those traps, just keep on trapping those nasty little rodents..

Rodents will get in!!

Rodents will get in!!

         

Rodents will do their best to gain access into a structure and once in they will continue to nest and quite possible raise their young. As you will notice from the damage to this structure, the rodents have brought in food (seeds) and this is mixed with fecal material and other nasty things. The trouble is not only the animals but parasites and all the nasty urine and fecal materials that are being left behind. Notice that everyone was wearing breathing masks to prevent the possibility of breathing in any fungal spores or contaminated urine or feces dust.

Rodents and fire.

 Rodents and fire.

 

Rodents cause approximately 20 percent of undetermined fires in the United States each year according to fire experts. Rodents include mice, rats, squirrels and they chew constantly because their teeth are always growing. They have incisor teeth that butt up against each other. They will chew through soft concrete, aluminum, wall boards, and pvc and lead pipes.  Mice move inside in the winter months and prefer to live near the warmth of electrical components. We receive more calls as the weather becomes cooler as mice and rodents attempt to move into homes and businesses. The photo above is a good indication of how fires are started and this rodent was electrocued. 

Rodents and your home, what do you need to know?

Rodents and your home, what do you need to know?

 

You must know your enemy! An inspection of your home or business is the first part of your investigation. Most people don’t really care to think about these little furry invaders of our home, but think you must. These creatures carry diseases and can pass along other not so fun stuff, like parasites and other pests. So what should you look for:

  1. Any opening which could allow rodents to slip into your home.
  2. Check high and low, check the ceiling, attic  and crawlspace areas thoroughly.
  3. Check the garbage areas, it can often be about food sources.
  4. Have you seen signs of activity, feces or strange smells.
  5. Check the attic, also look for chewed wires.
  6. Trees should not touch the structure, this is like a super highway into the home or business.
  7. Check screens or windows, check that they are in place and not damaged.
  8. Check to see that doors are equipped with door sweeps.
  9. Check where wires come into the building for signs of rub marks.
  10. Don’t leave pet food laying around indoors or outdoors.
  11. Check out buildings for nesting of birds or rodents, check under buildings if they are raised. Checks decks and other types of structures – like gazebos, swings or play areas.
  12. Check garage door seals.

If you decide to attack the issues yourself, use care and caution. If you need some expert advice see out a Pest Management Professional and THINK like a mouse…

 

Your in BIG trouble when ……….

Your in BIG trouble when ……….

First off he or she is going to have some attitude and I don’t think I want to mess with a rodent whose been drinking. So if it takes 2 drinks for a typical human male, what does it take for a rodent to be over the limit?  I guess the bigger question is what is that darn rodent doing in your home? So if this happens to you, don’t let rodents drink – call a Professional ASAP!

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