As the weather starts to get colder during the fall and winter months, rodents are beginning to move inside buildings in search of shelter, warmth, and food. Rodents—such as rats or mice—are responsible for thousands of dollars in property damage each year. Rodents can also pose a great health risk to your customers and your employees.
Common Rodent Warning Signs
To best defend against rodents, it is crucial to know the signs of rodent presence, and to encourage your employees to identify these signs as well. Specific evidence to keep an eye out for include:
- Small droppings in the back of drawers and cabinets, and on the floor along walls
- Holes or gnaw marks in food packaging
- Chewed wires or materials
- Urine stains on shelves and in the back of drawers and cabinets
- Footprints and tail-drags in dust or any other powder
- Nesting materials (paper, cardboard, insulation, other fibrous materials)
- Scratching or thumping in walls
If you see any of these indicators within your facility, they may be evidence of an infestation. Be sure to share any findings with your pest management provider.
Rodent Prevention Tips for Your Business
Preventing pest presence is a team effort – both the client and the pest management provider (PMP) need to be on the same page. The best way to prevent a rodent infestation is to remove sources of food, water and shelter, and try to eliminate any opportunities for rodents to gain access to your facility.
- Seal any exterior gaps or holes with rodent-resistant materials. Mice only need ¼” hole to gain access to a building, and rats can fit through a ½” hole.
- Remove all food items from workstations, and do not leave any food out overnight.
- Avoid storing food in cardboard or paper containers, as rodents can easily chew into those materials. Instead, use sealed containers, preferably made of hard plastic.
- Keep garbage receptacles sealed and ensure the areas around them are clean and free of debris.
- Make sanitation and consistent cleaning a top priority. Hard to clean areas, such as under and behind appliances, are favored by rodents and must be cleaned regularly.
- Lastly, watch for any rodent evidence within your facility.
Contact Copesan to Solve Your Rodent Problem
Failure to deal with a rodent problem early may lead to unsafe conditions in your workplace and potential injury or illness to your employees and customers. If you have questions about rodents or would like to learn more about how Copesan can help you in your prevention efforts, please contact us!
Want to learn more about rodent prevention? If so, check out our rodent-specific video playlist on YouTube!