Rodents

The problem

Rats and mice are found wherever there is food and shelter. The availability of such resources dictates population density. In ideal conditions, a pair of mice can produce more than 2000 offspring and a pair of rats 200 per year. Their gestation period is only 21 days and therefore population explosions can occur when effective control is not implemented.

Physical Abilities and Senses of Rodents

A thorough understanding of the physical abilities of rodents is very useful when designing a control program. For instance, rats are excellent swimmers. They can swim up to half a mile in open water, travel through sewer lines against substantial currents and tread water for up to three days. Climbing is also easy for them. If they can't climb, they just jump. From a standing position rats can jump vertically up to three feet - and getting down is easy. If necessary, rodents can drop from heights of 50 feet without injury. If rodents can't get around an object, they go through it. Rodents are capable of gnawing through a variety of materials including lead sheathing, cinderblock, aluminium siding, glass and improperly cured concrete. Rodents can also squeeze through very small openings.

All of these physical abilities have allowed rats and mice to survive hundreds of years in man's environment.

The Solution - Control techniques

Control techniques should be designed to eliminate the infestation completely, since any remaining rodents will produce a rapid re-infestation. Control techniques can be chemical and non-chemical. Non-chemical techniques may be used on their own, such as the utilisation of live traps, glue boards and traditional back breakers but more often these methods are used to complement chemical control. Some additional non-chemical techniques such as ultrasound have not been proven to be as effective as long-term control measures.

The use of rodenticide contact dusts, gels, baits and traps will, when used professionally control an ongoing rodent infestation. AG Pest Management's staff has many years experience in eradicating rodent infestations successfully.

Contact AG Pest Management staff for a cost effective solution to your pest problems.