Let’s be realistic: discovering rodent burrows on or around your business or property can be quite intimidating. Rats, mice, or whatever other small critters are making your area their home introduce potential health hazards and can, in fact, do real damage to your property. Expelling them from the premises as quickly and efficiently as possible is crucial. Nextgen Pest Solutions understands how pressing the situation can be, and we are dedicated to assisting you in eliminating rodents efficiently and safely.
This article will guide you through everything you need to know, from recognizing the unmistakable signs of rodent burrow to using smart tactics like Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and knowing when to call the experts.
Spotting the Signs: Looking for Rodent Burrow
First things first: you must know what you’re dealing with. Various rodents leave various traces. For rat burrows, search for openings roughly 2-4 inches in diameter. They are usually located at the bases of buildings, under sheds, along compost piles, or concealed behind dense bushes. On the other hand, mouse burrows are narrower in diameter, ranging from 1 to 2 inches, and are usually nearer to food. Lastly, chipmunks and voles typically create neater-looking burrow entrances, and you will often notice plants chewed off nearby.
Is Anyone Home? Experimenting To See If A Rodent Burrow is Occupied
Before beginning treatment, ensure that the burrow is actively in use. Evidence of a recently used rodent burrow can be extremely enlightening. Look for fresh droppings, tiny footprints pressed into the soft earth, or recently disturbed plants at the entrance. Occasionally, you may notice nibbled food or even catch a fleeting glimpse of a rodent darting in and out. Whereas an abandoned burrow has a neglected appearance, it may be inhabited by cobwebs, dead leaves, or trash. These burrows look untouched and undisturbed.
Conduct a simple test. Fill the entrance of the burrow with some loose earth or a clump of newspaper. Go back and check in about 24 hours. If it was moved around or disturbed, then you have a live burrow.
A Smarter Solution: Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Rather than merely responding to the rodents, IPM utilizes a series of good-sense procedures intended to render your property undesirable to rodents so they will not come back. It is long-term and control-oriented.
1. Remove Their Food Sources (Sanitation)
- Rodents require food and water for survival. Remove those necessities, and they are less likely to remain.
- Keep all food, human and animal, in heavy-duty, airtight containers. Rodents have no difficulty chewing through thin plastic and cardboard!
- Do not leave pet food dishes outside overnight; instead, clean up spills immediately.
- Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and dispose of trash on a regular basis.
- Fix leaky pipes or faucets, and eliminate puddles or any stagnant water.
2. Seal Up Entry Points (Exclusion)
- Keep rodents out of buildings in the first place.
- Look closely at the exterior of your house. Caulk any cracks and gaps around the windows, doors, pipes, and vents. Steel wool (they can’t chew this either) and caulk work nicely. Metal flashing works for wider gaps.
- Install heavy-duty mesh screens over vents and chimney openings.
- Fix cracks in foundation walls.
3. Eliminate Their Hiding Places (Habitat Modification)
- Make your yard less inviting for rodents.
- Cut back bushes, tree limbs, and any long vegetation that rubs or overhangs your home.
- Maintain your grass cut and remove stacks of leaves, wood, or other obstructions.
- If you have firewood, stack it neatly on a rack at least 18 inches off the ground, keeping it a safe distance from the walls of your house or shed.
Taking Action: Treatment Strategies for Burrows
As far as dealing with burrows already established, there are numerous solutions that will suffice, depending on how bad the situation is and which critters are causing the trouble:
1. Trapping
Good for minor infestations and non-chemical.
- Snap traps: The classic wooden or the newer plastic ones. They’re designed to kill instantly.
- Live traps: These will capture rodents intact, but releasing them is often hard (and in many locations, illegal) to do and is not effective if you have lots of them.
- Electronic traps: Delivers a swift electric shock and are often considered a cleaner, more humane option.
Proper placement is the key. Position traps near where the rodents move, near active burrow openings, or where you see their droppings. Peanut butter is a great bait.
2. Baiting (Use With Caution)
Poison baits (rodenticides) are effective, but safety must be the first priority, particularly if there are pets or children involved. If baiting a burrow, use a product specifically labeled for burrow baiting. Large bait blocks are typically not approved because they are easily pushed out of the burrow by the rodents where they are often eaten by pets or wildlife.
- Anticoagulant Rodenticides — Act slowly, inducing internal bleeding. Rodents tend to return to their burrows before they expire, thereby minimizing the risk of secondary poisoning for their predators. Some need to be fed multiple times.
- Non-anticoagulants Rodenticides — These are quicker killers but need to be managed carefully to prevent pets or wildlife from being accidentally poisoned. Always read and use the label as directed.
3. Burrow Flooding
There are times when flooding a burrow with a garden hose will bring rodents to the surface where they can be trapped. However, this method is not always effective with underground burrow systems, and the rodents will readily dig up a new dwelling elsewhere.
4. Burrow Fumigation
This is an extremely effective technique where gas—carbon monoxide or phosphine—is forced into the system of burrows, essentially suffocating the rodents within. The method carries significant risks, however, and should be done exclusively by trained and licensed pest control specialists, like those at Nextgen Pest Solutions, who possess the proper equipment and adhere to strict safety protocols.
5. Considering Natural Deterrents?
For individuals who are unsure about chemicals, some people investigate these options:
- Encourage Predators: Permitting your yard to be visited by natural rodent predators such as owls (i.e., installing an owl box) or harmless snakes will control numbers in the long run.
- Peppermint Oil: The pungent odor could repel rodents. Soak cotton balls and place them near burrow entrances (you’ll need to re-soak them frequently).
Safety First: Protecting Yourself
Handling rodents and their droppings is risky to health (such as Hantavirus or Salmonella). Always take precautions:
- Wear Gear: When trapping, cleaning urine or droppings, or handling potentially contaminated surfaces, ensure to wear disposable gloves, a dust mask — preferably an N95 —, and protective goggles.
- Disinfect Thoroughly: Once rodents are removed or cleaned, disinfect surfaces with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) or a regular household disinfectant that kills viruses. Allow it to sit 5-10 minutes before wiping.
- Follow Product Labels: Use any baits or chemicals according to the safety guidelines. Keep them safely out of reach of children and pets.
- Dispose of Carcasses Properly: Pick up dead rodents using gloves or a shovel. Put them in a plastic bag, close it tightly, and throw them away in an outdoor trash can. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Why Hiring Professionals Pays Off
While home remedies might be enough for small problems, rodent infestations are usually stubborn and finicky. Here’s why the experts need to be brought in most of the time:
⫸⫸⫸ Spot-On Identification: Professionals can immediately identify what type of rodent you have, which is important when deciding on the most effective treatment.
⫸⫸⫸ Safe Use of Strong Treatments: They are qualified and licensed to apply restricted materials, like powerful rodenticides and fumigants, safely and where the circumstances warrant.
⫸⫸⫸ Long-Term Solutions: A professional pest control organization will not only eliminate the current problem but will also guide you through preventive measures as well as follow-up services to ensure the rodents don’t return.
⫸⫸⫸ Faster Results: Experts usually solve infestations considerably quicker and more expertly than weeks of experimentation-and-hope.
Ready To Reclaim Your Space? Call Nextgen Pest Solutions!
Don’t let rodents destroy your serenity. Nextgen Pest Solutions blends experience, efficiency, and safety in its rodent control strategy, developing a solution tailored to you. Our company, guided by the integrity of veterans, delivers thorough and trustworthy pest control you can rely on. We are proud to provide services to communities throughout Georgia and Florida. Whether you are close to Atlanta, Tampa, or somewhere in between, our local experts are ready to assist. Visit our website at Nextgen Pest Solutions or call us today to speak with one of our rodent control experts. Taking action promptly is the best way to protect your property, your health, and your family from the nuisances rodents can create. Let us help you regain your peace of mind.
