[Rodent Control Issue] Inspection Tips

When it comes to rodents, the goal of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is to “work smart,” developing a comprehensive attack plan that uses the appropriate combination of tools, so you can cost-effectively control pests with the least amount of risk to the environment. The key elements of a rodent IPM program include:

• Identifying specific rodents and their populations.
• Inspecting infested buildings and surrounding areas.
• Excluding rodents from buildings.
• Determining sanitation concerns that may be providing rodents with food, water and shelter.
• Recommending control solutions specific to the rodents and their infestation site(s).
• Implementing control measures tailored to the site, i.e., sensitive locations, such as food plants, schools or hospitals.
• Evaluating results and making necessary improvements to the control program as the IPM program evolves.

There is no specific “recipe” for IPM. A successful program doesn’t proceed in a prescribed order to the final step. After starting with the logical step of identifying the rodents and the extent of an infestation, the remaining steps will depend on the particular situation. However, industry professionals agree that every successful IPM program starts with a thorough inspection.

THE INSPECTION PROCESS. Rodents behave predictably. A rodent control expert is a detective searching for clues that point to an infestation. This knowledge is then used to choose appropriate rodent control tools and techniques, and when to use them. Key steps in the inspection process include:

• Interview customers for information about rodent sightings and sounds.
• Perform a thorough inspection, beginning with exterior premises, if appropriate.
• Think three-dimensionally, looking both high and low. Rodents have been known to climb 30 feet to gain access to a structure.
• Identify interior and exterior problem areas including: runways, nests, feeding sites, water supplies, vents and other openings, burrows, harborages, pipe outlets and inlets, and holes or cracks in the structure.
• Check all dark areas in a structure with a flashlight.

While performing the inspection pest management professionals should look for these common signs of rodent infestation:

• Runways — Paths will form between feeding and harborage areas. Rodents memorize their territory through kinesthetic (muscle) memory and use the same paths again and again. They prefer to move along objects. Identifying rodent movement patters helps to effectively place traps and bait stations.
• Droppings — Droppings and urine are left wherever rodents travel or rest, especially in corners. Identify the rodent type by the size and shape of droppings. Use a palette knife to check droppings — fresh droppings are soft and shiny, while older droppings are gray, crusted and easy to break.
• Odor — A distinctive, musky odor may be present.
• Urine — Look for urine stains. Rodent urine is visible under black light. However, many other household and commercial products also fluoresce.
• Gnaw Marks — Fresh gnaw marks are light and will darken over time. Scratch-like marks, approximately 1/16-inch, are made by mice. Clear 1/8-inch gnaw marks are made by rats.
• Rub Marks — Rodents leave rub marks from body oil, grease and dirt along runways. New rub marks will smear. Old rub marks are darker and may flake off.
• Tracks — Footprints and tail drags may be seen in dusty locations. To view difficult-to-see tracks, shine a strong flashlight at a low angle across the dust. A non-toxic tracking powder, such as a mason’s line chalk, placed on a suspected rodent trail, and re-inspected the following day, also may assist in identifying tracks.
• Upset Pets — House pets, such as cats and dogs, may become agitated when they hear rodents gnawing, digging, running and fighting.

CONCLUSION. While it can be time consuming, performing a thorough inspection is a key step in any successful rodent IPM program, so take the time to do it right. You won’t be disappointed in the results.

The preceding article was excerpted from “Commensal Rodent Facts,” a resource guide from Liphatech, a leading supplier of rodent control products. Contact your Liphatech representative to request a copy of the guide and the company’s PCO Family brochure, or visit
www.liphatech.com.

Inspection Tools

INSPECTION TOOLS

• Flashlight (with a strong beam) to find rodents and their signs in dark areas.
• Black light to identify rodent urine.
• Knife, palette knife or spatula to test age of droppings and to scrape droppings out from under objects for identification.
• Specimen container to collect unknown specimens.
• Protective gloves to protect yourself from diseases carried by rodents.
• Knee pads to protect your knees from sharp objects on floors and in crawlspaces.
• Clipboard, graph paper and pencil to diagram the building and take extensive notes.
• Inspection checklist to act as a reminder to inspect critical areas. A sample checklist is available from Liphatech.
• Binoculars to make it easier to see what you can’t get close to in a home or commercial account.
• Respirator with HEPA filter to prevent inhaling dust, which may be contaminated with disease organisms.
• Hand sanitizer (with more than 60 percent alcohol) to kill bacteria when soap and water are not available.