Rodent Management
Mice & Rats Bat Management
Snap Traps:
When mice and/or rats are the problem and safety is an issue, no other method allows for great results than snap traps. In most homes, hospitals, schools, daycare centers, food handling areas, and grocery stores rodenticides are too dangerous to use because of poisoning or contamination issues. Non-target poisoning is a major concern and the reason we do not put rodenticides in any of the above mentioned areas. The efficiency of rodenticides does not counter the danger of non-target consumption by pets or even humans. Smell is another reason rodenticides are not always the best choice. With rodenticides the mouse or rat does not die at the poison placement but may die in hard to find areas or behind wall voids and may be smelled but never found. It can take several weeks for these odors to go away. Snap traps will kill the rodent at the trap and can be disposed of properly before the dead rodent contaminates it's surroundings. Traps can be placed in protective boxes or out of the way areas to keep non-target animals from being snapped and dead rodents from being seen. For most structures up to 3500 square feet: 75 to 150 mouse traps are placed out to manage mice quickly, and 35 to 70 rat traps are placed out for rat management.
Non-refundable set up fee for mice/rats includes: Set up and take down of traps. All rat traps must be prebaited for two days (traps put out unset but with bait) so the rats will go to the traps and be killed quickly..
Fee to check traps includes: checking traps, removing dead mice/rats, re-baiting/re-setting traps. A minimum of three days is required for service.
Monthly maintenance fee includes: checking traps, removing dead mice/rats, rebaiting, and resetting traps. This service is designed more for commercial accounts, but may be used in residential accounts as well. This service should be used to monitor rodent programs and remove dead rodents after the initial cleanout is complete.
Traps placed out by IPM remain the property of IPM. If client wishes to buy traps for continued management they may be purchased at an additional cost.
Rodenticides:
Rodenticides have their place, in controlling rats and mice, in areas where the possibility of non-target poisoning is minimal. Rodenticides are preferable in areas that have a high numbers of rodent burrows, and/or the rodents are trap shy. A good program should include both interior and exterior baiting to keep the rodents to a minimum. Closing areas where animals are gaining access into the structure is critical to all rodent management. All pest management programs using rodenticides are priced individually and an inspection of the structure must be done before an estimate is given.
One Way Doors:
The best way to control bats in a structure is to seal up all but one entry/exit hole and place a one way door in this hole. The bats will be able to leave but will not be able to get back into the structure. It usually takes a few nights to get all the bats out of a structure. The bats will then find another place to roost. All bats in Kentucky are protected while the adults are taking care of their young in maternity roost sights. Because of this, no bat management programs will be started between May 15 and August 15. Instead we focus on keeping the bats out of the living/working areas of the structure by sealing up entry points that the bats may use to enter these areas. All bat work is priced individually due to the variations in structures and the need for repair.
Cleaning Guano:
Bat droppings are called guano and can be a source of Histoplasmosis. Guano should not be removed without the proper protection and disinfectants. Care should be taken if you are thinking of doing this yourself. A good pair of rubber gloves, disposable plastic lined coveralls, a respirator (not just a dust mask), at least a 10% solution of bleach water, and several heavy trash bags are needed.
Exclusion:
Exclusion of bats is very difficult because of the small areas that bats can enter. Any area that has an opening more then a 1/4 inch should be sealed or repaired. Repair work can be done by Innovative Pest Management for many areas. Some buildings may require a lift to reach areas where bats are entering the structure. All exclusions are priced individually because the differences in structures and construction.
