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All posts in “rodents”

Marijuana & rodents eating evidence

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Marijuana, what a story?

This story comes to you from India, where the police had a little issue with some stealing. The rats or so they say, absconded with the seized drugs. “Rodents ’empty’ cannibis stored in Bargi Police Station“, I guess not even the Judge was amused as he let the alleged suspects go free. You go to all that trouble to track down the smugglers and the rats eat the evidence.

marijuana

The picture above is from rats bringing cactus into a bait station, I didn’t have any pictures of marijuana – sorry. Rats and mice are able to enter buildings by any hole between a dime and quarter size, they will also eat almost anything. So as I always say, home seal and prevention = IPM Integrated Pest Management. Prevent them from getting in and no worries.

What can you do to prevent rodents?

Check your yard and home monthly for bugs and rodents. Keep food out of their reach, pick up fruit that has fallen to the ground. Keep your yard clean, trim bushes from next to your home. Don’t keep stuff in your yard, rats will next in anything that might be stored. If you store firewood keep it high, dry and away from the house. Keep water from collecting in the yard or any containers, they need water just like we do. If you have a shed, keep things rat-proof stored and on shelves and of course check things often.

If you see rat bait stations in your neighborhood, check things out. If there is one rat there are probably more. If your going to clean sheds wear a mask and follow the recommendations from the CDC. Don’t just sweep up dust without checking for droppings. If you notice something strange, investigate it or call in a Pest Management Professional such as ProBest Pest Management 602-249-7378.

What exactly is “A Peace of Mind Inspection”?

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My theory is that no one knows everything, period. I can assure you I know bugs and that includes the pests that can damage your home. Termites are right up there and cause about 5 billion a year in damage across the U.S. While our termites here in Arizona aren’t quite the most aggressive in eating your home they still cause damage.

So my advice, get a yearly termite inspection. Most companies provide free quotes for termite treatment options. ProBest Pest Management offers free quotes and we charge a nominal fee ($45) for a regular home inspection. We may also provide some recommendations concerning conducive conditions which might encourage termites gaining entry into your home. This is different from a Wood Destroying Insect Inspection Report ($57-$67) required generally for the sale of a home and we generally provide a free warranty if we don’t find termites at the time of the inspection * disclaimers, to the new buyers.

What do we look for generally? (not inclusive) – You can also look for these signs.

Termite tubes, tunnels, dirt on drywall and drop tubes from the ceiling.
Termite damage, baseboards and wood.
Termite pellets from Drywood termites.
Water damage, including stains from leaks.
In out brief tour of your home we may notice other things maybe or maybe not related to termites such as mold or smells indicative of mildew etc.
Feces (such as rodent droppings).
Screening not in place.
Home-sealing.

America’s Rodent Problem

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Infographic by PPMA

The Puzzle of Pest Management.

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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

I don’t understand Pack Rats, do you?

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So yesterday I mentioned that you needed to understand your enemy, often times I think I do and then this happens. See these pictures below, I just don’t understand why rodents like to gather cactus, I would think it would be harmful.

The “jumping cholla” name comes from the ease with which the stems detach when brushed, giving the impression that the stem jumped. Often the merest touch will leave a person with bits of cactus hanging on their clothes or imbedding itself into your skin or to be discovered later when either sitting or leaning on them. The ground around a mature plant will often be covered with dead stems, and young plants are started from stems that have fallen from the adult. They attach themselves to desert animals and are dispersed for short distances. (Wikepedia)

Do you understand mice/rats/rodents?

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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.

Have you done whatever it takes to keep out rodents?

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Nothing is probably worse than seeing a mouse inside your house, everything goes through your mind. How do I capture it, what do I do with it, can I do it myself and its goes on and on? The best thing to do, is to never have one get into your home. So what can you do:

Repair all holes and cracks in your home.
Don’t take in boxes which might have room enough for a mouse.
Repair screens.
Repair door seals and thresholds.
Repair garage door seals.
Don’t leave doors open.
Don’t leave pet food out.

If they are already in the home, glue boards do work but be careful if you have pets or children. Never, never use baits inside a home. Never, never use baits inside a home, yes I said that twice.

Not a creature was stirring… facts about mice

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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

Cockroach invader new to NYC.

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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

Has the Stink got you, have you tried Earth Care odor bags?

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I run across some really stinky little issues from time to time, like a rodents who died within a home. So its one of those things that isn’t easy to fix, so I often recommend the odor bags. I have used these bags many times and have never been disappointed in their use.

Easy to use to remove dead rodent odors, urine and feces odors, skunk odors, musty mildew odors, and cigarette smoke odor. Doesn’t have to come into contact with dead rodent or odor causing agent and works even if carcass is not removed. Bags are easy to use and last an average of 3-4 months in use and contain no chemicals, toxins or fragrances. Simply place the bag near the odor and in 24 hours the odor will be gone. Earth Care does not mask odors it removes them. Its contents are bio-degradable, non-flammable, non-toxic, safe around children, pets & mother earth.

A friend on mine recently had an issue with bats, so I recommended he try hanging some bags near the spot where the bats had been nesting, here’s what he said:

I did exactly what Keith said and I was pleasantly surprised as to the results, odor gone. I’m sold on these bags. W. Davis – Florida