I have been getting a few reports of increased rat and mice activity in dwellings and outbuildings. With the incredible dry and hot conditions this is to be expected as they are looking for food and moisture.
These rodents can be extremely destructive, they eat and contaminate food, stored grain, and livestock feed. They can be very destructive to property by chewing wires, eating wooden walls and floors, and furniture. Also, when you have rats or mice you are going to have snakes, as they feed on the rodents. Worst of all is the fact that they can carry and transmit diseases to both humans and domestic animals.
The three types that do the most damage in our area are the Norway rat, the roof or black rat, and of course the normal house mouse.
Norway rats are burrowers; they nest under foundations, wood piles, junk piles, etc... The roof rat will normally nest in walls and attics. Mice tend to nest in furniture, hay, empty feed sacks, and cabinet drawers. Norwayrats are usually not sociable and forty would be a heavy population for a dwelling.
Roof rat populations however, can easily contain 100 or more.
The house mouse also believes the more the merrier. To control any or all of these, an integrated program is best. The program should include the use of rodenticides and traps, removal of shelter, removal of food and water, and rat-proofing your home.
There are many types of ready- made rodenticides available at most farm and ranch stores. Most of these are effective when used properly. It is a good idea to rotate bait types from time to time.
When using a rodenticide, placement is very important. Place the baits along the rodents’ line of travel between their shelter, and food and water supply. Usually, this will be along walls and foundations.
In barns you should also place them on ledges and dividing walls. The use of bait stations is highly recommended to prevent non-target animals from getting bait and to prevent spoilage of bait.
You can buy readymade bait-stations or make your own. Simple designs include nailing a flat board at an angle to the bottom of a wall, a section of PVC pipe will also work well, or you can make more elaborate stations that are completely enclosed with hinged lids and latches. All bait stations should be appropriately labeled “Rat Poison” or “Rodent Bait”.
Traps are also very effective and should be used when rodenticides are not advisable. The traps should also be placed along travel routes, along walls, etc... It is best to use a variety of baits in your traps if you want to outsmart Speedy. Fruit, peanut butter, nuts and of course cheese are all good baits.
The removal of shelter is of utmost importance. This may mean the removal of empty boxes, brush piles and other clutter. Stored items should be 18 inches off the floor with space between materials and walls.
If possible, you need to keep grass and weeds mowed close and as far from buildings as is possible. Rodent proofing your home is the most permanent means of control.
All openings should be covered with rat resistant materials like hardware cloth, steel wool, sheet metal and concrete.