When chemicals are becoming last year’s solution, creating new, innovative technology is the only way to not only keep up with rodents, but to stay ahead of them.
By Nicolas H. Ellis, MS, PhD: Board Certified Entomologist with Certificate in Public Health Entomology, Western Pest Services
No matter what business you’re in, rats and mice can be a constant threat. From the diseases they carry to the perception people will believe about your business (and its cleanliness) to how quickly they are able to multiply, rodents aren’t a pest to take lightly. But as more eyes are on chemical usage, its environmental and wildlife impact, and how some rodents can become resistant to it, how can we keep up with these pests? Innovation is the answer.
There are many other ways to deal with mice and rats than the old traditional strategies. While rodenticide and snap traps are still effective, even the tried-and-true methods can not only be improved upon, but new innovations can help enhance your Integrated Pest Management plan’s success.
Innovative ways to locate rodents, eradicate rodents, and even keep them out in the first place all can be added to a comprehensive rodent plan. Here are four rodent innovations you should know about.
Start by keeping rodents out. Some of the best – and simplest – ways to manage rodents is to subtract their attractants from the equation. Routine sanitation, frequent trash pick-ups, and tight-fitting garbage and dumpster lids can help. But what you can’t see – the rodents still can smell. Your trash areas and trash chutes, if not cleaned professionally and properly, will accumulate organic material that will not only attract mice and rats, but flies, cockroaches, and more. A professional program that cleans and sanitizes those areas is one of those innovations that seems so simple and yet is relatively new.
Next, you want to make sure to catch rodents as early as possible. Remote monitoring is one of the most proactive and technologically advanced Integrated Pest Management strategies in the industry. It alerts you of a single rodent or pest that could have turned into a large infestation in no time. Remote monitors not only eliminate the guess work, but they focus your pest control technician on hot spots and hot areas, so your visits are way more productive. They can be used inside and outside and are very helpful in sensitive areas where you really don’t want a lot of people coming in and out unless it’s completely necessary.
Now, eliminate them – at the source. Carbon dioxide as a rodent control device is incredibly effective. A single service can control a majority of your rat population. There are no pesticides left behind and it eliminates secondary poisoning risks in other animals. Unlike snap or sticky traps, with CO2 rodent control there’s no worry about trapping non-target animals. This newer strategy is quick and can be used in field settings and in grounds and landscaping around both residential and commercial buildings. It’s an innovative way to eliminate rodents at their source rather than just as they come.
While keeping rodents out of businesses and commercial spaces is important, we haven’t forgotten about homes when it comes to rodent innovation. Traditional exclusion work can be helpful, but there are some gaps around foundations of homes that need extra help. Some pest control companies are now offering trim that’s installed around the foundation of homes to seal that gap, making it even more difficult for rodents (and some other wildlife) from getting in. It works extremely well on solid pour, hollow block, and even brick, and provides long lasting protection. It even has a sleek look that won’t affect curb appeal. BARRIER+ is a new variation of the time-honored method of pest-proofing which eliminates openings mice and rats can exploit to enter your home.
Rodent control, whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, can often seem insurmountable. But with new strategies that not only support traditional ones, but actually make them more successful, rodents won’t seem so difficult to deal with anymore. Of course, all of these strategies should be performed and monitored by a professional. Rodents are not the pest to try DIY techniques. When your professional pest control company combines daily sanitation, staff education, and new innovations with a professional IPM approach, they are better prepared to prevent rodent activity before it affects your business, your home, or your reputation.
Dr. Nic Ellis is a Board Certified Entomologist and Training Specialist for Western Pest Services, a New Jersey-based pest management company serving businesses and homeowners in major Mid-Atlantic markets. Learn more about Western by visiting www.westernpest.com.