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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 incisors. 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 Prairie Dog 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 year roun d. • 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 ba it (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 .
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