[Rodent Control] 'Self' Defense

I believe there are four basic steps in eliminating a rodent population — and you will have a much greater chance of success if you take these steps in the order prescribed below. I hope these tips will help you when you’re controlling rodents in self-storage environments.

(Also, as a side note, when I refer to "we" here, I am speaking of pest control professionals as a whole. "We" used to be called exterminators, but much like those who are now called "sanitation engineers," we needed a more important-sounding title. I decided that when I write about rodents, I am going to refer to myself as a "vector control engineer." That would look impressive on a business card, don’t you think?)

INSPECTION. Short of seeing a live rodent (or smelling a dead one), the most obvious indication of the presence of such non-rent paying vermin is droppings. Rodent droppings are brown or black and range in size and shape from a grain of rice to large rice. Other less obvious signs include gnaw marks on conduit insulation, burrows under concrete slabs and piles of leaves, cloth or paper in cool, dark places.

SANITATION. Sanitation is less of an issue in most self-storage facilities but the topic must be addressed. Dumpsters should be kept closed and secured. If it isn’t already policy at your customer’s facility, ask management to direct tenants to take their trash and discard it off site. If tenants are allowed to store items for human or animal consumption, the units should be inspected on a regular basis by a pest control professional.

EXCLUSION. Managers at self-storage facilities should take steps to ensure that their buildings are weather-proofed. These same steps should be taken to keep heat in and critters out. A few other tips to rodent-proof your customer’s facility:

• Trim vegetation away from the structure. Never allow tree limbs to hang over or contact the roof or sides of the building.

• Expanding foam or caulk is a quick fix. Always use heavy gauge metal mesh or flashing to cover construction openings.

• Employ self-closing exterior doors wherever possible.

• Maintain window screens on all windows that can be opened.

• On wooden structures check the roof, eaves and siding for soft spots that a rodent could exploit. Be diligent in doing so, as rodents are quite adept at exploiting structural weaknesses.

ELIMINATION. The most efficient way to use snap traps is to put them where you find evidence of rodents. Peanut butter is a favorite of the rodent community as far as bait goes. When baiting a snap trap, place the bait BEFORE you set the trap. You don’t want your fingers anywhere near the business end of a loaded trap. Ideally you will place the trap perpendicular to a wall, with the business end pointing outward. When using snap traps, more is better.

Also, you need to explain to your customers that they need to be patient. Rodents tend to shy away from new objects in their environment, so it may take several days before they get the nerve up to investigate. It is important to check the traps on a regular basis, at least every other day, especially in a warm environment. If you succeed in catching your quarry, do not touch the dead animal with your bare hands. Snap traps are relatively inexpensive, so dispose of the rat and trap together.

Just like fishing, if you succeed in one spot, cast your bait in the same spot you caught the last one. Glueboards or sticky traps may be somewhat effective with small rodents, but generally are not strong enough to hold a larger rodent.

Also, note that under no circumstances should a rodenticide labeled for residential areas be used in a commercial setting.

CONCLUSION. Pest management professionals servicing self-storage facilities should be aware of the intricacies that these accounts entail. With the number of different customers entering and exiting the area, it’s important to develop a game plan with the property’s management team. Good luck!

Ken Berquist is a field representative for R&D Pest Services in San Diego, Calif., and can be contacted at kpberquist@giemedia.com.