World Grain - October 2011 - 100

FEATURE: RIDDING YOUR FACILITY OF RODENTS

through holes as small as a dime. Rodents are proliﬁc breeders – especially mice. Once inside your facility, an infestation can spread quickly. In just a year, a female mouse can produce up to 10 litters, birthing approximately six mice in each litter. With only 35 days needed to reach sexual maturity, in no time the pups in those litters will be able repeat the entire process all over again. Additionally, this pest loves to gnaw on whatever it can sink its teeth into such as wood, paper, drywall, wires, etc. In fact, the word rodent is derived from the Latin word for “gnaw.” Due to their poor eyesight, mice and rats frequently mistake the wiring on electrical equipment such as fans and conveyors for plant roots. Be aware that this can be a major ﬁre hazard. IPM TIPS In order to protect your facility’s bottom line and reputation, it’s important to work with a pest management professional to implement or assess your IPM program. Using a combination of proactive management methods such as stringent sanitation and facility maintenance, an IPM program focuses on preventing problems before they occur. Work with your pest management professional to incorporate the following IPM tips into your rodent management plan: • Trim back any vegetation from the building that can serve as a hiding spot for rodents, and consider installing a 30inch wide gravel strip around the entire exterior of the buildings in landscaped areas. Since rodents feel vulnerable out in the open, this buffer can discourage them from approaching your facility.

• Eliminate moisture and water sources in and around the facility. Leaky HVAC units, standing water near dumpsters or in processing areas, and even overﬂowing ice machines in the break room are good rodent water sources. • Seal all unnecessary holes and cracks in your building’s exterior with a weather-resistant sealant. Concentrate on potential points of entry for rodents, such as the areas around utility penetrations. For extra protection, add copper or steel mesh as appropriate to the mixture to prevent rodents from gnawing through the sealant. • Consider placing tamper-resistant bait stations around the exterior of your building. These stations can be used as trap stations or for rodent baits where necessary. Contact your pest management professional to determine what type of placements are needed. Be sure to consult directly with your pest management professional to determine the type, number and placement of all interior traps. In addition to sneaking into your facility through holes, rodents also can enter on pallets or via received goods. As a general rule, doors should remain closed whenever possible, and if necessary, install plastic strip curtains, autoclosers or double-doors for frequently used entryways. It’s important to focus on sanitation. Clean up spills immediately whenever these occur. Employee break rooms should be clear of any food remnants and garbage cans with food and other waste need to be kept tightly sealed. Regularly clean waste disposal areas, including around compactors, and keep dumpsters as far away from the building as possible.

Additionally, be sure to monitor for signs of a rodent infestation. If you spot any of the following signs, contact your pest management professional immediately: • Droppings – A strong indicator of an infestation is visible rodent droppings. Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice, and rat droppings are the size of a raisin. • Gnaw marks – Rodents are always gnawing, even when they are full. Since rodents can chew through small openings, inspect any openings in the building that appear to be chewed or gnawed. • Rub markings – Look for any greasy markings on walls inside your facility that indicate a rodent is regularly traveling down the same path. Rodents feel protected when they crawl along a wall. • Chewed bait – If you already monitor for rodents using a bait station, chewed bait is another indicator of rodent activity. Remember, a rodent infestation can spread quickly. Protect your products and your bottom line this winter by working closely with a pest management professional to monitor your facility and implement an effective rodent management plan as the seasons change.
Patrick Copps is technical services manager for Orkin’s Pacific Division. A Board Certified Entomologist in urban and industrial entomology, Copps has more than 35 years experience in the industry. For more information, send an e-mail to pcopps@rollins.com or visit www.orkincommercial.com.

We want to hear from you — Send comments and inquiries to worldgrain@sosland.com. For reprints of WG articles, e-mail reprints@sosland.com.

For more information, see Page 106.

100

October 2011 / World Grain / www.World-Grain.com

http://www.orkincommercial.com http://www.muehlenchemie.de http://www.World-Grain.com

World Grain - October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of World Grain - October 2011