5 Commercial Rodent Prevention Tips

Rodents are a constant concern for any business owner. Mice and rats have come to rely on humans as an easy source of food, water, and shelter, so they’re never far from us. Rodents aren’t just gross – they can also cause a lot of property damage with their constant chewing, and even start fires if they chew through electrical wires. They’re also great at hiding, which can make it hard to spot an infestation until it’s already in full swing.

The most effective way to handle an infestation (or stop one before it can start) is to hire professional exterminators. The Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control team works on commercial properties of all kinds, so we can give you a hand with your rodent problem regardless of scale. In the meantime, here are five rodent prevention tips you can use yourself.

1. Rodent Exclusion

Rodent exclusion is one of the strongest prevention methods you can use on your own, and it’s as simple as sealing up gaps and cracks in your structure. These gaps can be smaller than you’d expect; rodents can fit their bodies through any gap big enough for their heads. Plus, if a gap is too small, they can use their incredibly strong teeth to gnaw at it until they fit through. Rodent teeth are stronger than certain metals, so it’s tough to find something they aren’t willing to chew through.

Expanding foam sealant on its own generally won’t work in most situations. Larger gaps, like the ones between floor expansion joints, should be sealed with high-density foam and stainless steel mesh.

Remember the gaps around doors too! Weather stripping can be an effective rodent deterrent, but only if you maintain it – it’s extremely easy for rodents to chew through, so you may need to replace it often. Consider door sweeps and guards for a more permanent solution.

2. Landscaping Maintenance

Keeping your landscaping in good shape isn’t just important for looks; it can also deter rodents from setting up shop nearby. Harborage refers to places where rodents (as well as other pests) can hide, and messy landscaping can provide plenty of it. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed well above the ground so rodents can’t hide beneath them, and make sure not to plant anything within six feet of your structure.

Also, remember to rake fallen leaves. Rodents and other pests love to hide and search for food in leaf litter, so keep it clean to keep them away.

3. Inspect Incoming Shipments

Since rodents reproduce so quickly, even a single rodent intruder could pave the way for a full infestation. If you work in shipping or manufacturing, make sure to look over incoming shipments carefully for signs of rodent hitchhikers, such as the following:

• Gnaw marks. As we mentioned earlier, rodents have to chew constantly, even when they aren’t eating. They don’t care if your shipment is edible or not.
• Droppings. Self-explanatory.
• Spills. Chewed-up packaging leads to spills, especially with food ingredients or small items. If you notice a spill, check the packaging for signs of a rodent’s teeth.

If rodents are good at one thing, it’s survival; lasting a few days on a shipping pallet is no challenge for them at all. Add this to their stealthy nature and stowaways are more likely than you might think. Remember to check incoming shipments thoroughly before adding them to your inventory.

4. Lock Up the Trash

Rats and mice will not hesitate to pick through the garbage. In fact, trash containers are almost ideal for them; they have all the food and water a rodent could want and offer shelter as well. And since people don’t usually hang around garbage cans, the rodents are usually left in peace.

So how do you keep them out of your trash? It can be as simple as using a tightly-fitting lid that locks. Just like with the building itself, if a rodent can’t get inside the trash, it can’t stay there. Remember that recyclables aren’t safe just because they aren’t edible; rodents will use just about anything for nesting materials, including paper, plastic, cardboard, and more.

Finally, make sure not to leave bags of garbage lying around outside the dumpster. This is just free food for any rodents that might pass by.

5. Use Monitoring Traps and Professional Inspections

Pest-monitoring traps can help you figure out which areas of your building are at the highest risk of a rodent infestation. Place them wherever rodents have been seen, or in areas where rodents are likely to appear. This can include outdoor break areas, warehouse receiving areas, parking lots, garbage areas, and more – anywhere with access to food.

In the end, there’s no substitute for professional input. Rodents can live almost undetectably in wall and ceiling voids, attics and crawlspaces, and even sub-slab areas. It can be difficult or impossible to check these areas for signs of rodent infestation without help from the pros at Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control. With our comprehensive inspection services, we can help you get a step ahead of the rodents.

Count on Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control for Rodent Control Services

Whether you’re dealing with a full-scale rodent infestation or you want to stop one from starting in the first place, business owners in the Wisconsin area can count on the Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control team for help. With our 100 years of experience, you’ll get peace of mind like never before.

Give us a call today to get started with a free inspection!

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