Blog
Rodents Threaten Kentucky Facilities
12/3/13
As the owner or manager of a commercial facility, you know that keeping your facility pest free is very important to the success and reputation of your business. This time of year, late fall and early winter, businesses need to be especially vigilant against rodents (house mouse, Norway rat) trying to get inside your facility. They will try to gain access into buildings in order to have warm shelter, access to food and water, and to seek breeding areas. Rodents often get into businesses through gaps in foundations and around the areas where pipes and cables enter your facility; they can also enter through garage or bay doors if they are left open for long periods of time. Sometimes rats and mice can enter through chimneys, holes around vents in roofs, and through loose or missing roof tiles.
Once rodents have made their way into your facility, they can be difficult to eliminate, cause a lot of damage to your facility, and introduce diseases. Rodents have a constant need to chew so that their front incisors do not overgrow. Because of this need they will chew through electrical wires, plumbing pipes, and insulation which can lead to water damage, fires, and mold issues. Also, rodents will chew through and damage your products and inventory, causing your business a loss of profits. Rats and mice will often leave their urine and feces throughout your facility introducing diseases and bacteria like Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and dysentery all which can be spread to you, your employees, and customers.
Business owners and managers can make easy, inexpensive changes around their facilities to help prevent rodents from being able to get into their facilities. Of course, these should be in addition to a year round pest control program with preventative treatments. Rodent prevention tips for commercial facilities include:
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Keeping outdoor trash cans, dumpsters and compost piles away from the exterior of the building.
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Trimming back trees and bushes from the exterior of the facility; rodents can hide in landscaping.
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Repair or replace loose roof shingles to prevent easy entry for pests.
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Make sure that attic vents and soffits are intact and that there are no holes in or near them.
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Check the foundation and inspect areas where pipes, cables and vents enter into the facility; seal off any gaps or holes.
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Do not keep garage doors or loading docks open for long periods of time.
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Inspect deliveries for signs of rodent activity before you allow them into your facility.
For help with Kentucky pest control for your commercial facility, contact the experts at Action Pest Control. Action’s pest control experts will be able to help you eliminate your current rodent problems, help to identify and fix the areas that are allowing rodents inside and provide year-round pest control services to prevent future problems.