Infographic by PPMA
I love those shows on TV about crime, I always try to solve it before the end. Probably why I enjoy Pest Management – “the attention is in the detail”, right?
How did those termites gain access into the ceiling?
There is a mouse in the house and how did it get in?
There are moths flying in the pantry, did we bring them home?
Did we pick up our fruit or did we encourage rodents into our yard?
So become a detective and stop those pests from getting into your home, home-sealing is a must plus it will help save money on heating/cooling. Put the puzzle together and solve the buggy issues.
Photo by PPMA
You have heard me say this many times, I don’t work on my vehicle brakes because I don’t know anything about brakes but I know pests.
- You must understand rodents; you must know their biology and their quirks. Do you know how far mice or rats travel from their home that is might be important in control?
- How will you attack the situation, are you using traps or repeat devices or outside stations?
- Have you purchased enough and what are you using?
- Have you thought about consequences in using this equipment, is anybody at risk?
So before you decide to tackle this by yourself, maybe it might be inportant to call a Pro.
Rodent loved the bait so mush he never left.
Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice
Creature – Lets start with a few facts:
- A family of six mice can grow to 50 – 60 mice in only 90 days.
- Mice can just about live anywhere from the tropic to the cold regions.
- They love to nibble and again will just about nibble on anything.
- Urinate as they run, so not only eating things but damaging or contaminating as well.
- Mice can use cardboard as nesting materials.
A few tips to stop them from getting in and staying in.
- Home-seal, no holes – mice only need a hole the size of a dime.
- Always use gloves when transferring boxes from attic or garage.
- Make sure your garage door is sealed.
- Make sure your screen are in place and in good condition.
- Don’t leave pet food out, if storing please put in containers.
Photo by Univar
A species native to Asia has been located in Manhatten, New York, found by a Pest Control Operator. This species can also acclimate itself to colder weather, “Cold-tolerate cockroach from Asia found in NY“.
I’ve mentioned before “Insect and Mammal Invasive Species“, “Those Darn Illegals” and “The spread of Black Rats“.
The spread of non-native insects or plants can really cause major issues, justy look at those Quagga and Zebra mussel.
Photo by Arizona Game & Fish
All I can picture is that old belief of someone standing on a chair just screaming for their lives because a mouse is in the room. “Mice study suggests we can literally smell fear.”
Maybe a correlation can also be placed with dogs that don’t seem to like certain people. 
Well not this dog above, Gracie loves everybody. Mice are proving and research is providing good data for the good of mankind.
Rats and mice nomally can squeeze through small opening (mice – dime and rats – quarter), I think this guy just had a bad day. I suppose it ate some bait or got bit by something, cause it looks like it has some room to wiggle. Just a caution on mice/rats, rodents in general they have teeth and aren’t afraid to use them. They will gnaw on electrical wiring around pool pumps, car engines and equipment of all sorts. By the way this also goes for rabbits, they will also go after wiring. So what precautions can you take:
- Check you home monthly for signs of pests, I know I say it often but eventually you might listen to my advice.
- Check for holes or loose screening, including those weep holes at the roofline.
- If you see bees flying in and out, check it out but use caution.
- Don’t stack firewood against the house.
- Don’t let trees or bushes touch the house, super highway for rodents and ants.
- Have a Professional Termite company do an inspection for termites.
A friend of mine on FaceBook – Ernesto Luis Verbauwen posted this picture the other day and I just had to repost it on my home seal – so thanks to Ernesto. Ernesto works at Fumigaciones San Lorenzo in Concoria, Entre Rios.
I just really love the fact that as pest control operators we can all get along and share useful tips and facts to help one another.
Which according to my research Bogata, Colombia. Bogotá formally Bogotá, Capital District, from 1991 to 2000 called Santafé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent capital district
In “Rodents will gnaw on anything, what happens if its your home“, we looked at 20% of homes in US possibly the number of fires by rodents. Scary, I think so! What if it were your home or business. Some wildlife outside is OK, but I would say none inside. So home-seal and keep them out and hey if you’re in Concoria give my friend a call, I’m sure he will treat you right.
“New Mexico reports second human case of Plague of 2013 in Torrence County Girl” Plague is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is found in animals throughout the world, most commonly rats but other rodents like ground squirrels, prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits and voles. Fleas typically serve as the vector of plague. Human cases have been linked to the domestic cats and dogs that brought infected fleas into the house.
“Squirrel with bubonic plague closes campgrounds in Angeles National Forest – July 2013‘
So did you think that Bubonic Plague was a long forgotten disease, or how about Hanta Virus, Lyme disease or Rabies? Every once in awhile these little diseases pop up around the U.S. and we all need to remind ourselves of their potential to kill.
Rub marks where rats are getting into the structure.
“Harlem says rats to blame for telephone woes“, you may think they have their issues and yes they do but we also have issues with rodents. There was a issue a year or so ago where rabbits were chewing/gnawing on vehicle wiring and that can be a real headache if you need your car in a hurry.
- The front incisors of rodents never stop growing, In fact, continuously growing front teeth is a trait shared by all rodents from the tiniest mouse to the largest rodent. Observing mice & rats who have nothing to gnaw upon, its been found that these incisors can grow up to five inches per year.
- Rats have strong teeth that allow them to chew through glass, cinderblock, wire, aluminum and lead.
- Rodents need to chew four to five hours each day just to keep their teeth gnawed down to the point that they are able to eat. If their teeth grow too long they will die of starvation.
- There is a very high sodium content in electrical and cable wiring. This makes the wires taste good to the rodents, but can lead to wire failure & is a fire hazard. Check your home-owner’s insurance policies to see if it covers fire if it is a result of rodents chewing on wires.
Photo – Univar Environmental Solutions