The Basics On Rodent Control Midtown Manhattan
Rats and mice are not only a nuisance but can also cause property damage and transmit diseases. You’ll know they’ve arrived if you see rodent droppings near a food source or shredded fabric or paper. If you identify rodents, there are several steps to take to ensure permanent removal of these pests.
Removing rodents with traps or poisons will not keep rodents out of your home in the future. To permanently keep rats and mice out of your home or business, you will need to prevent access by sealing all possible entry points. It is equally important to eliminate rodent attractions such as food and water by keeping food in tightly sealed containers and repairing leaky pipes.
Common Sources of Food and Water- Food in unsealed containers such as bags of chips, rice, cereal, crackers, flour, and other non-perishables.
- Pet food and water left out overnight or in a bag rather than in a secure container.
- Fruits or vegetables in open bowls left outside of refrigerator.
- Leaky pipes or faucets throughout the house.
- Open trash and compost containers.
- Holes near cabinets, closets or doors leading to outside or crawl spaces.
- Holes around sink or appliance pipes.
- Cracked foundations in the basement or unscreened ventilation holes in the attic, especially in older structures.
- Holes around windows or doors.
- Missing screens in vents or crawl spaces under buildings.
Once you have blocked the access points and removed sources of food and water, you’ll need to eliminate the remaining rodents. The following sections offer an overview of different treatment options and serve as useful guidance for keeping your home or business permanently free of rats and mice.
Three Guiding Principles:
Prevent!Seal entry points to prevent rodents from entering your home or business. Be sure to use 1/4" x 1/4" metal mesh to seal off existing entry points. Remove rodent attractions such as food or shelter by ensuring that food is securely stored and that surroundings are clean.
Identify!Look for signs of rats and mice such as rodent droppings round food, kitchen corners, inside cabinets or under sinks. Also, look for nesting material such as shredded paper or fabric.
Treat!Remove rodents by using snap or electronic traps. Be cautious with live traps as rodents might urinate which increases the risk of spreading disease. In addition, some states prohibit releasing rodents into the wild. Install barn owl nesting boxes to naturally control rodents.
Outdoor Recommendations:- Don’t plant ivy — it provides shelter and a food source for rodents: snails and slugs. Ivy on walls can form “rat ladders” to windows, attics and other interior spaces
- Keep compost piles as far away from structures as possible and grass cut to no more than two inches tall.
- Maintain at least a 2 foot space between bushes, shrubs, fences, and buildings. Also, remove tree limbs within 3 feet of a structure or roof.
- Avoid having a birdfeeder since it provides a source of food for rodents.
- Keep outdoor grills and cooking areas clean.
- Keep firewood off the ground and as far away from structures as possible to mitigate shelter opportunities.
- Use city-issue plastic trash bins. If cracked or missing a lid, contact the Department of Sanitation for a replacement.
- Encase all food items such as breakfast cereals, chips, and crackers in containers.
- Opt for garbage bins and compost containers with a top that seals tightly.
- Rinse food and beverage containers before discarding or recycling.
- Clean your garbage and recycling bins frequently.
- Do not leave pet food or water out overnight.
- Maintain stove tops clean and free of food scraps.
- De-clutter your home of papers, fabric, and any similar materials that attract rodents for nesting.
- Repair leaky pipes.
- Seal entry points around cabinets, interior walls, attic, and crawl spaces with steel wool, caulk, or 1/4″ x 1/4″ metal mesh.
- Maintain attic, crawl spaces, and cabinets near sinks clean and free of moisture.