RODENTS Town of Flower Mound
Objectives:
1. Define and Describe Rodents
2. Identify Rodent Concerns
3. History of Rodent Control
4. Integrated Pest Managem ent
5. Types of Control
6. The Flower Mo und Program
Rodents
Definition:
Mamm als belonging to the order Rodentia
(L. rodere: to gnaw)
C haract erized by two pairs of long sharp
40% of all mammals are considered in the Rodentia
order
Cons idered a reservoir for disease transmission
Rodent Examples
Chipmunk
www.puffin.net
Rodent Examples
Eastern Fox Squirrel
www.eNature.com
Rodent Examples
www.desertusa.com
Rodent Examples
Beaver
(beaver skull)
www.discoverlife.org www.skullsunlimited.com
Murine Rodents
Murine Rodents:
Old World rats
and Mice
Subfam ily
Murinae. 519
species
Found in all
continents
Murine Rodent Examples
Norway Rat
Roof Rat
House Mouse
R a ttus norveg icus
Typical Norway Rat,
Rattus norvegicus
15.75” (up to 18” long)
Weighs from 7 to 17
ounces
Body longer than tail California Aca demy of Sciences
Stout body, small ear s
(compared to roof rat)
R a ttus norveg icus
Reproduction
Potential
• Breed yea r round.
• Females produce 6 to 8
litters of 7 young per
year.
• Young rats are sexually
mature by the age of 3
months.
• Reprod uctive life span is
usually 1.5 to 2 years.
R a ttus norveg icus
Typic al Habits of the
Norway Rat
Gnawing
Must continually gnaw to
keep teeth from becoming
too long, and to keep teeth sharp
Burrowing
If no su itable indoor space
is found, will dig burrows
to make nest
R a ttus norveg icus
Habits (cont’ d.)
Water depend ent
Usually needs wate r source
– especially if eating dry
food diet ( i.e. grain)
Liv es in large groups
If you see one rat, there are
probably more
No cturnal
Most active in the evening
and at night
R a ttus ra ttus
Typical Roof Rat, Rattus
rattus
15.25” long (Up to 18”)
Weighs from 4 to 13.5 oz.
Tail longer than body
More sleek build, mo re
prominent ears than
Norway rat
R a ttus ra ttus
Reproduction Potential
Year round breeding season
Three to seven litters per ye ar
Six to 22 rats per litter
Sexual Maturity at 80 days
Rattus rattus
Roof Rat Habits
Climbs
Cli mbs to find food, shelter, builds nests
above grade
Pr efers Grains
Will also eat seeds, nuts, vegetables, fruits,
insects, and other materials such as soap,
paper, hides, and beeswax
Liv es in clans of up to 6 0 individuals
Gnaws
Noctu rnal
Most a ctive in the evening and at night
M us m usculus
House Mouse, or Mus
musculus
Typic ally about 7½
inches long (including
tail)
W eigh up to ¾ ounce
Differ from young ra ts
with their small feet and
head
M us m usculus
Reproduction Potential
Year round breeder in
the southern states
Five to ten litters per year
(depending on
conditions)
Usually 5 or 6 offspring
per litter (sometimes up
to 12)
Sexually mature at 5 to 7
weeks old
M us m usculus
House Mouse Habits
Can burrow, climb a nd
swim
Builds nests from shredded
paper and cloth
Nests are built close to food
source
Rang e is typically no further
than 50 feet from
established home
Why are Rodents of Concern?
Rodent-borne Diseases
Cause of damage to structures, food product Rodent-Borne Diseases
Diseases spread by
rodents
CCD M lists 24 diseases
associated with rodents
(rodents are a common © D. Kunkel reservoir of disease) © D. Kunkel
Murine typhus,Tu laremia,
and Plague are some
noteworthy diseases
carried by rodents
© D. Kunkel
Damage
Rodents cause millions
of dollars in damage
Eating and contamina ting
stored foods
Rodent gnaw ing destroys
plastic, wood and other materials
Fires have been caused by
damaged wires after
insulation was chewed by gnawing rodents
History of Rodent Control
Cats, Dogs, Ferrets, Poisons, and all sorts of traps
have been used to help control mouse and rat
populations
Today, there are ultrasonic, magnetic and the electric
“rat zapper 2000” available on the market
Integrated Pest Management
Definition:
Integrated Pest Management means combining the
most effective methods for achieving control of a
pest. In rodent control, this includes depriving the
target pest of food, shelter and water in addition to
trapping and applying rodent baits.
Prevention and cure = most effective control
The Integrated Approach
Use all reasonable methods available to reduce a
rodent population in a given area or building
A three sided method works well
Monitoring
Prevention
Control
Rodent Surveillance
Look for signs of rodents:
Droppings
Gnaw mar ks
Tracks
Nests
Rub marks
Holes in f ood containers
Rats and mice running aro und
Prevention
Rodent-proofing
Elim inate all ent ries for rodents into a building
Gaps under doors must be less than ¼ inch
Holes in walls must be smaller than a dime
Cut tree branches away from roofs
Keep yards neat and firewood stac ked off the ground
Landscaping should not be invi ting to rodents
Keep vegetation away from foundations
Ivy that provides cover to rodents should be avoided
Prevention
Sanitation
Keep a ll areas clean and items neatly stored
Without access to food or convenient hiding pl aces,
rodents will not stay
Rodents are stressed by having their paths and markings
removed by sweeping or mopping
Inspect all storage areas, rotate stored items
Rodents avoid areas that are frequently disturb ed
Types of Control
Mechanical capture of rodents
Traps can reduce the populati on of rodents,
strategically placed, they can help prevent an
infestation
Multiple catch
Glue boards
Snap traps
Types of Control
Chemical control of rodents
Poisons are often used against an established
population of rodents because mechanical trapping
could be too cumbersome
Rodenticides can also be used to prevent infestations
Perimeter baiting
Entrance baiting
Types of Control
Baiting can be done with chronic or acute baits
Multiple feeding – such as warfarin – old school
anticoagulant –r equ ired for the rod ent to receive a
lethal dose of bait (less effective, less toxic, safer)
Single feeding – baits using anticoagulant
bromodiolon e – new generation – rodents receive a
lethal dose on on ly one feeding ( more effective,
more toxic, not as safe?)
Safety
Read, understand and follow label directions and
MSDS
Do not leave poisons where children or other
non-target species can have access to them.
Flower Mound Rodent Control Policy
The Environmental Health Specialist (EHS)
shall address Citizen Complaints regarding
rodent infestations so that public health
conce rns related to rodent associated diseases
are minimized.
Flower Mound Rodent Control Policy
1. EHS will contact the citizen within two working
days of the request for service.
2. EHS, if requested, will wi thin 2 working days
cond uct an evaluation for rodent harborage and food
sources on the citizen’s property and adjacent
easements.
3. Any rod ent harborage conditions or environm ental
viol ati ons noted will result in the issuance of a notice of
violation to the resident of the property outlining
appropriate corrective measures.
Flower Mound Rodent Control Policy
4. EHS cannot apply rodent bait to public
p r operty or the citizen’s property due to liability
and possible safety threat posed to children,
pets, or other non-target animal.
5. Contact a licensed pest con trol comp any to
survey your property and identify ways that your
property can best defend against rod ents.
Flower Mound Rodent Control Policy
6. If baits are applied by licensed pesticide
applica tors on private property, then
application s sho uld m eet all requirements of
federal and state guidelines.
7. Bait station boxes shou ld be checked every 3
to 4 days and removed only after all feeding ha s
ceased.
Flower Mound Rodent Control Policy
As with any pest control program, an integrated
approach is the best approach. The Town of
Flower Mound will continue to strive to use all
aspects of an integrated approach to rodent
control and management.
Please contact Environm ental Services if you
have any questions comments, or concerns
about rodents 972-874-6340 or
environmentalser vice s @flower-mound.com