Rodents contaminate, spread serious diseases, carry parasites, possibly cause fires and cause a great deal of problems for people worldwide.

1. Rodents and you. ProBest Pest Management

2. What rodents are we talking about? Roof Rats Norway rats Mice Pack Rats Gophers

3. What rodents are we talking about? Roof Rats 6 ½ inches to 8 inches, slender, ears are large, eyes are large and prominent, tail is hairless, nose is pointed, varies in color and dropping have pointed ends.

4. What rodents are we talking about? Norway Rats 7 to 10 inches, heavy and thick in frame, ears are close to the body, eyes are small, tail is shorter than head and body, usually gray to brown but varies, nose is blunt and the dropping have blunt ends.

5. What rodents are we talking about? Mice Small 2 – 3 ½ inches, large ears, eyes are small, grayish to brown, tail is 3 – 4 inches, droppings have pointed ends and are small ¼.

6. What rodents are we talking about? Packrats Often called wood rats, large black eyes and long tails. Packrats are nest builders and they will use almost anything to build it. Very fond of shiny objects and will damage electrical wiring and get into attics and even car engines.

7. What rodents are we talking about? Gophers Pocket gophers – well equipped for digging in the dirt creating tunnels and eating the roots of plants. Small eyes, muzzle is rounded, orange chisel incisors.

8. Control First and foremost you must think like the rodent. Identify the culprit. Eliminate conditions that permit the rodent either access into your home or the ability to live on your property. Decide on eradication method.

9. Control Check out the descriptions above to decide on what you are working with sometimes you must work with droppings. Where are the rodents causing problems, have you seen droppings in the attic or inside your home? Gather fruit and use it or donate to a charity, don’t feed them.

10. Control Eliminate conditions Seal all holes and gaps. Check screens and repair. Make sure dryer vents and other vents are working properly. Don’t allow pet dishes to set outside with food in them. Check garbage lids. Make sure doors have door sweeps on them and are tightly sealed.

11. EPA and rodents baits EPA – New Rules 6/4/11 manufactures comply Retail (Homeowner) Users•Pelletized (pellets) baits of any kind no longer available for consumers. • BAIT STATIONS WILL BE MANDATORY – Rodent baits only available for purchase by homeowners if sold in or with a bait station (block bait only allowed bait). • Only first generation anticoagulants and non-anticoagulants will be allowed. • Maximum package size limited to bait amounts of 1 lb or less.http://www.riskmitigationinfo.com/

12. Call a Pest Management Professional The EPA’s main focus is to decrease children’s accidental exposure to rodenticides and to reduce the accidental exposure of pets and wildlife to rodenticides.