Environmental Pest Management

11975 Portland Ave, Suite 126 , Burnsville, MN 55337

Working Hours
Mon - Fri 08:00 to 05:30

Call us
952-432-2221

Rodent Control

Mice

RatsThere are 3 predominant species that we see in the upper midwest.

The House Mouse is commonly a small grayish brown to almost black rodent that infests homes. It commonly is seen in kitchens, pantries and throughout the house and leaves its droppings wherever it frequents. If you have food items that are being chewed into, this is probably the culprit.

The Deer Mouse is generally a lighter brown color and has a distinct 2 tone appearance with the belly fur being white.. It is more of a solitary mouse and will use the walls of our homes as harborage. Hearing noise in walls and ceilings but not seeing any mice inside the house usually leads us to the conclusion it is the Deer Mouse or his cousin the ?White Footed Mouse.?

The Vole or more correctly called the Meadow Mouse is a larger, blunt nosed, short tailed rodent that will not infest homes but is a significant turf pest with the capacity to enter structures if by accident. Not to be confused with a Mole, the Vole runs and feeds above ground. Girdling of trees or troughs in your grass in the spring after snow melt is a sign you have these.

Rats

RatsThe Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus, also called the brown rat or sewer rat) is a destructive pest found in urban and suburban neighborhoods. These rodents eat and contaminate food, damage buildings and other property by their gnawing and burrowing, and may spread diseases that affect people and pets. Norway rats are husky, brownish rodents that weigh about 11 ounces. They are about 13 to 18 inches long including the 6 to 8 1/2 inch tail. Their fur is coarse and mostly brown with scattered black on the upper surfaces. The underside is typically grey to yellowish-white. Rats will eat nearly any type of food, but they prefer high-quality foods such as meat and fresh grain. Rats require 1/2 to 1 fluid ounce of water daily when feeding on dry food. Rats have keen taste, hearing and sense of smell. They will climb to find food or shelter, and they can gain entrance to a building through any opening larger than 1/2 inch across. Rats have litters of 6 to 12 young, which are born 21 to 23 days after mating. Young rats reach reproductive maturity in about three months. Breeding is most active in spring and fall. The average female has four to six litters per year. Rats can live for up to 18 months, but most die before they are one year old.

Recognizing Rat Infestations

The presence of rats can be detected by droppings or evidence of fresh gnawing. Tracks can be seen in mud and on dusty surfaces. Runways and burrows may be found next to buildings, along fences or railroad tracks, and under low vegetation and debris.

Rat Prevention & Control

RatsSanitation. Poor sanitation and the presence of garbage help rats to survive in residential areas. Good sanitation will effectively limit the number of rats that can survive in and around the home. This involves good housekeeping, proper storage and handling of food materials and refuse, and elimination of rodent shelter (harborage). Outside dog pens must be properly maintained to reduce potential rat problems. Removing clutter around homes allows inspection for signs of rats. Good sanitary practices will not eliminate rats under all conditions, but will make the environment less suitable for them to thrive. Rat-Proof Construction. The most successful and permanent form of rat control is to “build them out” by making their access to structures impossible. Ideally, all places where food is stored, processed or used should be rodent-proof. Store bulk foods, bird seed, and dry pet food in metal cans with tight fitting lids.

Seal any openings larger than 1/4 inch to exclude both rats and mice. Openings where utility conduits enter buildings should be sealed tightly with metal or concrete. Equip floor drains and sewer pipes with tight fitting grates having openings less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Doors, windows, and screens should fit tightly. It may be necessary to cover edges with sheet metal to prevent gnawing.

If you suspect you have a rat problem and want to have us look at the situation, contact us through this web page for a free inspection and estimate. This is one of those problems that requires a look before we come up with a solution proposal.

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