Rat & Mice Control

Rats and Mice have been responsible for or implicated in the spread of various diseases to people and domestic animals for years. Today however, because of improvements in sanitation, effective drugs, and rodent and insect control programs, the disease threat from rodents is not as significant as it once was. In fact the spread of disease by rodents is often not the primary reason for their control. But because of the habits of rodents traveling in sewers garbage, etc., there are still cases of human and animal diseases being transmitted and there is also the constant potential of disease outbreaks which can be intensified and accelerated in cities where rats and mice live in close proximity to people. However small the threat may be, it is a potential that always must be kept in mind.

Some of the more common diseases transmitted by rats and mice or parasites that they carry are -

Plague - which is spread from rats to people by the oriental rat flea.

Murine Typhus - caused by a bacterial organism which is transmitted from infected rats to people also by the oriental rat flea.

Rickettsial pox - also caused by a bacterial organism is transmitted by mites from mice to people. Mainly in areas of New York City and several New England Cities.

Salmonellosis (acute food poisoning) - is caused by a bacterium which can thrive in sewers, live stock facilities, septic tanks, cesspools, garbage, and other similar environments. It is spread mainly by fecal droppings by rats and mice.

Rat Bite Fever - is caused by a bacterium which can live in the saliva of both rats and mice. It has flu like symptoms that can last for days and is sometimes fatal.

Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, trichinosis, typhoid, dysentary as well as others.

Rats and mice almost always leave signs that can lead to their discovery.

The ten signs to look for are:

* droppings or feces
* tracks
* gnawing damage
* burrows
* runways
* grease marks or rub marks
* urine stains (which can be discovered with a blacklight)
* live or dead rodents
* rodent sounds
* rodent odors (especially mice)

Types of Rats and Mice

There are 3 main species of rats and mice that are of significance in the United States. They are the Roof or tree Rat, the Norway or ground rat, and the House Mouse. Of course there are lots of other species such as field mice, field rats, etc.. but the Roof and Norway Rats and the House Mouse are the ones of primary importance.

Control Clues:

Indoors - Trapping or *Baiting Using Contrac or Talon Rodenticide.

Outdoors - Permanent Bait Stations containing Contrac or Talon.

Removal of clutter and other debris that may be harbouring rats and mice. Woodpiles are especially good places for rats and mice to nest.

Seal up any holes larger than a Dime for mice and larger than a Quarter for Rats that may lead into the home or building. Also make sure that door sweeps are in good condition as rats have been known to flatten themselves out in order to squeeze under doorways.

Application Don'ts: Don't place rodent bait of any kind in an area accessible to children or pets. Rodent bait used indoors may result in rodents dying inside walls or in attics in which they are unreachable or unremovable. This could result in strong odors resulting from the decaying carcass which could persist for several weeks until the carcass dehydrates.