AZ Huge Media The way to maintain your industrial properties freed from rodents in winter

As the valley experiences cooler weather than autumn harbingers in winter, pests do not rest and rodents still do no good in commercial properties.

Rodent damage can be very costly to commercial properties – not only to buildings, equipment and electrical systems, but contamination of food and supplies can also be significant. Although baiting is a common solution to rodent problems in commercial situations, without a robust rodent management plan there is a risk of having to use excessive baits with often poor results.

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This is not good for the bottom line or for the customer.

Rodent control company Bell jar, a preferred provider of CimeX Control Pest Management of Scottsdale, uses a five-part rodent pest control program. It consists of:

• inspection and identification;

• baiting and catching;

• population precipitation;

• exclusion and sanitation;

• Monitor and preserve bait.

Fernando Torres is the owner of CimeX Control Pest Management.

The process of inspection and identification is essential to understand the situation and find the right solutions. However, as with rats and mice that are constantly trying to force their way into the house, it is important to focus on both prevention and treatment of rodents. In this regard, exclusion and hygiene measures will be vital to prevent future problems once the initial infestation has been dealt with.

The first step is to secure potential entry points against rodents. It is important to identify all possible entry points for rodents. With potential entry points as small as 15 millimeters (half an inch) for rats and less than 10 millimeters (one third of an inch) for mice, and often with large buildings to probe, this can be a time-consuming process.

Look for direct entry points such as corridors under foundations, open doors, chewed up entry points, areas around drains, in crawlspaces, and around utility entry points (electricity, water, gas, air conditioning). Also consider assisted access points where vertical wires, pipes, and tree branches provided access to the building.

All entry points must be sealed. Appropriate rodent-resistant fill materials must be used for holes in walls, gaps around utility entry points, and gaps around doors and windows. For items that can be used by rodents to gain access to the building, such as Structures such as vegetation, wires and drains must be trimmed (trees) or protected (drains) to prevent rodents from climbing the element.

For door openings, self-closing devices should be used on frequently used doors. Vinyl, rubber, or bristle gaskets must be installed under large doors to close gaps.

The second step is to clean up potential rodent shelters. Maintaining a 1 meter (one third of a foot) clear zone around the perimeter of buildings is a good starting point. Clear weeds and clutter and clear piles of wood, pallets and trash from the property.

The third step in making the property less attractive to rodents is to reduce food and water sources. Ensure that trash is disposed of in hard, well-sealed garbage containers and that food is stored in hard, sealed containers or rodent-proof rooms. Make sure spilled food is cleaned up immediately.

Once you have implemented your exclusion and sanitation program, rodent efforts to return to their old feeding grounds will be strongest a week or two after the building is sealed. During this time, look for new holes and tunnels and treat as needed.

Exclusion and sanitation programs can be complicated and time consuming at large commercial sites. In the long run, however, they can save you time and money—and your reputation.

Author: Fernando Torres is the owner of CimeX Control Pest Management. For more information, call (480) 364-7499 or visit us cimexcontrol.com.