They enjoy our company, food, drink, homes and businesses. For centuries their existence has been largely dependent on our hospitality (sort of). Their population is closely related to the human population. Keep in mind that people have to eat and there lies the paradox. We generate tons of food related trash (someone’s trash is another’s treasure) and that is the case with rodents, like mice and rats. Understanding our connection (commensal relationship) to them will assist us in answering the question “why me”?

Industry renowned rodentologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan has studied the current issues related to the increase of rodent populations in various metropolitan areas, providing us with hands on insight in addressing the matter. His years of studying their behavior and biology as well as his knowledge of the advances in rodent management have made him the go-to guru on rodents. So when he speaks, we need to listen intently. The following facts stress the need to do so.

• Rodents reproduce quickly
• The House Mouse may have up to 5 litters per year with as many as 5-10 young per litter
• The Norway Rat may average 4-6 litters with 6-12 young per litter

You can see that if the environmental conditions are right, instant population explosion will occur as well as the health risks associated with it.

The key to any rodent management program consists of pest identification, sanitation, harborage elimination and pest proofing. The success of the program will largely depend on whether each of the key elements mentioned are addressed.

Interestingly, creating an environment that is unwelcoming will assist in the management of the population by natural means. The stress caused by increased competition for food and territory will result in mortality to many within the colony. This therefore reinforces the importance of applying the key elements of our rodent program.

• Eviction by performing approximately 5 days of consecutive trapping
• Cleanup as well as sanitize and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent activity
• Seal the entry points using the CAT-GUARD EXCLUSION SYSTEM

To ensure their elimination, regular monitoring is performed, making it the most extensive rodent program in the industry.

This fact remains true: the most effective program is the one that prevents the problem from developing. By taking a proactive approach rather than a reactive one you will be able to answer the question “why me?” with, not me.