Rodent Control

Controlling Norway Rats 

Rodent control is more than putting out bait or traps, and by following the five basic steps included here, greater success will be achieved at keeping homes and businesses free of rats: 

  1. Step 1
  2. Step 2
  3. Step 3
  4. Step 4
  5. STEP 5

Inspecting the Premises for Rodents 

A good inspection of your premises and proper identification of the rodent involved is important to control these pests. Some of the common signs of a rat infestation include: 

  • Rodent sounds – Listen for gnawing, scratching or high-pitch squeaks, particularly at night when rats are most active. 
  • Gnaw marks - Rats love to gnaw; look for evidence of gnaw holes in bags or boxes of food and piles of sawdust where they've gnawed wood or shredded paper which is often used for nesting materials. 
  • Burrows - Check for holes anywhere a rat can find shelter:  near bird feeders, earth banks, sewers, along walls, and under rubbish, concrete slabs, building foundations, dog houses, woodpiles, fence rows, or piles of debris. 
  • Droppings – Look for small, round feces. Rat droppings tend to be from 3/4 to one inch in length, whereas mouse droppings are smaller, averaging ½ inch. One rat produces 20 to 50 droppings a day. 
  • Other signs of rodents – Look for tracks evident in dusty areas, grease marks, and urine stains and odors which are often missed by the casual observer but are signs looked for by pest control professionals.