Rodents will seek shelter near food and water sources. Rodents are scavengers and will feed on a wide variety food sources including meats, fish, nuts, grains, seeds, fruits, vegetables, grease, trash and even compost.
Diseases from rodents include: leptospirosis, hantavirus, rat bite fever, salmonellosis (food poisoning) and more.
The most common rodents in the Greater Boston Area that infest homes are the house mouse and the Norway rat. Sanitation is the most important factor when trying to control a rodent population. This includes good housekeeping practices, proper food storage and routine trash removal. Removing access to food sources pressures the population to travel further for food and makes them more likely to explore new traps and stations.
Rodent Trapping
The most important factor in rodent trapping is the location of traps; traps should be placed close to the wall along runways where rodents frequently travel to be effective. Trapping can be an effective method of controlling rodents, but it may not be the best approach in some situations with high infestations. However, trapping may be a good option in sensitive accounts or in areas with a lot of food competition.
Rodent Baiting
Any rodent baits should always be contained and placed in tamper-resistant bait stations or in areas inaccessible to children and pets. There is a low-risk of secondary poisoning exposure for pets and non-target wildlife if the proper baiting practices are followed when using rodenticides. Baiting is best option for high-level rodent infestations because it is generally the most cost-effective approach. Any competing rodent food sources must be eliminated if this control method is used.
Exclusion for Rodents
Exclusion is the key to long-term control of rodent populations. If the entry points where rodents have previously gained access inside remain open, it is just a matter of time before new rodents move in. When using rodent baits, control should be achieved before any attempts are made to seal any exterior entry points to allow rodents to leave the home after the bait is consumed.
Treatments for Mice
Most mouse infestations can be controlled with one- two treatments, depending on the severity of the infestation and the level of cooperation in addressing sanitation and maintenance related issues.
Treatments for Rats
Rats may require 4 or more treatments(initial treatment and 3 follow-up treatments) every 2 weeks until the infestation is resolved. We also bait and block any existing rat burrows during each inspection.
