Rodents
Inspection
Rodents behave predictably. A rodent control expert is a detective searching for clues that point to an infestation. This knowledge is then used to choose appropriate rodent control tools and techniques and when to use them.
Our Inspection Process
- Interview customers for information about rodent sightings and sounds.
- Perform a thorough inspection, beginning with the exterior premises, if appropriate.
- Think three-dimensionally, looking both high and low. A rule-of-thumb is to check 3 feet above both the ground and objects attached to the building.
- Identify interior and exterior problem areas including: runways, nests, feeding sites, water supplies, vents and other openings, burrows, harborages, pipe outlets and inlets and holes or cracks in the structure.
- Check all dark areas with a flashlight.
Physical Signs of Infestation
Look for these common signs of rodent infestation:
Runways - Paths will form between feeding and harborage areas. Rodents memorize their territory through kinesthetic (physical) memory and use the same paths again and again. They prefer to move along objects. Identifying rodent movement patterns helps to effectively place traps and bait stations.
Droppings - Droppings and urine are left wherever rodents travel or rest, especially in corners. Identify the rodent type by the size and shape of droppings. Use a palette knife to check droppings - fresh droppings are soft and shiny, while older droppings are gray, crusted and easy to break.
Population - Estimating populations is difficult. Because commensal rodents are primarily nocturnal, daytime rodent sightings may indicate a significant population.
Urine/Odor - A distinctive, musky odor may be present. Look for urine stains. Rodent urine is visible under black light. However, many other household and commercial products also fluoresce.
Gnaw Marks - Fresh gnaw marks are light and will darken over time. Scratch-like marks approximately 1/16-inch are made by mice. Clear 1/8-inch gnaw marks are made by rats.
Rub Marks - Rodents leave rub marks from body oil, grease and dirt along the walls they travel. New rub marks will smear. Old rub marks are darker and may flake off.
Tracks - Footprints and tail drags may be seen in dusty locations. To view difficult-to-see tracks, shine a strong flashlight at a low angle across the dust. A non-toxic tracking powder placed on a suspected rodent trail, and re-inspected the following day, also may assist in identifying tracks.
Upset Pets - House pets, such as cats and dogs may become agitated when they hear rodents gnawing, digging, running and fighting.
Inspection Tools
- Flashlight with a strong beam
- Flashlight with a strong beam
- Black light to identify rodent urine
- Knife, palette knife or spatula to test age of droppings
- Specimen bag or plastic container to collect unknown specimens
- Protective gloves
- Knee pads
- Clipboard, graph paper and pencil to diagram building and take extensive notes
- Inspection check list
- Binoculars
- Respirator with HEPA filter
Once the inspection is complete, your technician will convey to you what steps need to be taken to get the rodents under control. This will often include a recommendation to exclude rodents from entering your structure. Your technician is ready to provide a detailed schematic of your structure to aid you in the effort to exclude rodents. Corky's Pest Control, Inc. does not provide exclusion services. These services are often provided by a general contractor.
